In the last 10 seasons (2000-2009), the 2007 Cleveland Browns, 2005 Kansas City Chiefs, and 2003 Miami Dolphins all had a record of 10-6 and didn't make the playoffs.
There have also been 11-5 teams that didn't make the playoffs including the 2008 New England Patriots and 1985 Denver Broncos.
Chat with our AI personalities
The Indianapolis Colts hold the record for the last decade, 9 appearances in the last 10 years. 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. They did not make the playoffs in 2001. If they make the playoffs in 2010, they will still have 9 appearances in the last 10 years, and will tie the record of the most consecutive playoff appearances in the NFL.
1967 Baltimore Colts. Entering the 14th and final game with a 11-0-2 record against the 10-1-2 Los Angeles Rams. The Rams beat the Colts 34-10 before a nationally televised audience on CBS.The Rams were 1-0-1 against the Colts thus sending the Rams into the playoffs and sending the Colts home.
Playoff berths are awarded according to conference ranking, not records. The top six seeds in each conference make the playoffs, no matter what their records are. That includes the four division winners and two wild card teams (the non-division winners with the two best records). In theory, it's possible to not win a single game and still make the playoffs! Every team in a division would have to go 0-10-6, with every team tying every other team in the division and losing all their games outside the division. Strength of schedule would be the first tiebreaker to kick in to determine a division winner.
Detroit Lions
lions