The 32 NFL teams Starting the season with a clean slate, but for some organizations, history can add some undeniable pressure.
Five teams entered the new season hoping to finish years behind playoff droughts, but only one team managed to make that happen, while another’s absence from the postseason set an unfortunate record.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Here’s a breakdown of which teams will carry that load next season and which team was able to break through.
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, center, stands on the sideline after being removed from the game against the Buffalo Bills during the second half in Orchard Park, New York, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
After suffering a 30-0 loss to division rival Miami Dolphins Last month, the New York Jets were eliminated from the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. And with that, the Jets not only claimed the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, but also the longest of any major North American sports league.
“We need to win,” general manager Joe Douglas told reporters during his season-ending news conference Monday. “My record is not good enough, and I know it, and everything we do in the future is win and that’s it, that’s all that matters.”
The last time the Jets advanced to the postseason was in the 2010 season under former head coach Rex Ryan. After finishing second in the AFC East, the Jets advanced to the wild card game where they narrowly defeated the Indianapolis Colts to reach the Divisional Round.
FROM OUTKICK: GARRETT WILSON SAYS 2023 WAS THE WORST YEAR OF HIS LIFE
After defeating the New England Patriots, 28-21, the Jets moved on to the AFC Championship Game, where they would eventually lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Russell Wilson #3 and Jarrett Stidham of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High on December 24, 2023 in Denver. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The last time the Denver Broncos made a postseason appearance, they made it count.
The Broncos won their third Super Bowl title behind quarterback Peyton Manning during the 2015 season, which marked the last time Denver advanced to the playoffs.
Despite bringing in the quarterback Russell Wilson The previous season, Denver finished with an 8-9 record to become the team with the second-longest active playoff drought in the league.
“You’re your record in our league, that’s the truth,” head coach Sean Payton told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Like I said, you’re disappointed, not discouraged but disappointed, because you have an expectation, and then we go from there. We start this offseason, which is going to be a lot of work.”
Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 3, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers finished with a league-worst 2-15 record, marking their sixth consecutive season without making the playoffs.
But it wasn’t always so bleak.
After going 7-10 the year before, expectations were high when owner David Tepper hired Frank Reich as the new head coach and made a big investment in drafting the rookie quarterback. Young Bryce.
But after an 0-6 start, things only got worse.
GIANTS’ WINK MARTINDALE RESIGNS AS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR DESPITE INDICATIONS HE WOULD RETURN: REPORTS
The organization moved on from general manager Scott Fitterer on Monday after three seasons, but the real pressure appears to be on Tepper. Since purchasing the team in 2018, the Panthers are 31-68 and have never made the postseason.
Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith reacts after the conclusion of the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons on December 24, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tied with the Panthers for six consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, the Atlanta Falcons have the third-longest active postseason drought in the NFL.
Instability at the quarterback position and inability to translate the success he had with the Titans offense, Arthur Smith was fired at midnight following a lopsided loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Falcons finished with a 7-10 record for the third consecutive season, all under Smith’s leadership.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Atlanta, still in search of its first championship, last appeared in the postseason during the 2017 season. After defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card, the Falcons moved on to the Divisional Round where they would eventually lose to the eventual Super champions. Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is shown during warmups before the Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (Junfu Han/RED USA TODAY)
The Detroit Lions clinched the third seed in the NFC, returning to the postseason for the first time since the 2016 season. And with that, Dan Campbell hopes to lead his team to the franchise’s first appearance in the Super Bowl.
The Lions finished the season 12-5 and won their division for the first time in 30 years, and their first NFC North title.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
