Longest Active Postseason Streaks in the NFL as Chiefs Dynasty-Era Officially Comes To An End

For ten long years, the Kansas City Chiefs have been a playoff mainstay. In every season since 2014, they have ventured onto the storied postseason stage. Since Patrick Mahomes arrived in 2017 and his subsequent emergence as a starter a year later, they haven't just been contenders; they have been the team to beat.

 

In every season of Mahomes' glittering career, the former Texas Tech standout has led KC to the AFC Championship game at the very least. Of those seven straight conference championship games, there have been five Super Bowls - including the last three on the bounce - and three Lombardi trophies. However, that almighty streak of dominance will not continue in 2025.

Chargers Dump Chiefs Out of Playoff Contention

After a dismal year, Mahomes and the Chiefs headed into their week 15 clash at home to the Los Angeles Chargers with a 6-7 record, knowing that they had to win out to have any hope of reaching the playoffs once again. Trailing 16-13 at the two-minute warning deep into the fourth quarter, their hopes were hanging by a thread before disaster struck - Mahomes was downed with a knee injury, resulting in him heading back to the changing room and backup Gardner Minshew taking over.

 

With his side needing a field goal to force overtime and in position to secure exactly that, the 29-year-old backup, who hasn't thrown a ball all season, duly threw a crushing interception to Chargers safety Derwin James, sealing the Chiefs’ fate and officially knocking them out of playoff contention.

 

Now, KC's decade-long run, and perhaps their championship window, is officially over. So, who now takes over as the team with the longest active postseason streaks in the NFL? And, perhaps more importantly, will those streaks continue through 2025? Let's take a look.

Buffalo Bills – 6 Seasons

Heading into the 2025 season, betting sites were big on the Buffalo Bills. In preseason, online Super Bowl odds makers made the Highmark outfit the narrow favorite to leave Santa Clara in February with a maiden Lombardi in tow, with the likes of the popular Bodog predicting that reigning MVP Josh Allen would lead them to the promised land. So far this season, however, things haven't gone according to plan.

 

Don't get us wrong, the Bills remain in contention. Their stunning week 15 comeback victory against the upstart New England Patriots kept their faint hopes of a sixth straight AFC East title alive. But still, the most likely outcome for Buffalo this season is a wildcard berth, with disastrous losses to the Dolphins, Falcons, and Texans all set to hurt them far beyond the regular season.

 

Still, their ongoing six-season postseason streak has become the new longest in the NFL, and since 2019, it has all been about the brilliant Allen, hasn't it? That cannon of an arm, the scrambling ability— he’s turned this ailing franchise around, dragging them to multiple deep runs and AFC title games.

 

The Chiefs have long been Buffalo's nemesis, eliminating them from the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, including last season. With them vanquished, perhaps the door to a first Super Bowl since shockingly losing four straight in the 1990s could well be open. Before they can dream of the Lombardi, however, they need to first secure their spot in the postseason, and at 10-4 and with a favorable remaining schedule, surely their postseason qualifying streak will continue at the very least.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 5 Seasons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have quietly built something special over the last five years, reaching the playoffs in each season, as well as winning the NFC South in each of the last four campaigns. Their ongoing run is the longest in franchise history, and it all began with the ballsy free agency swoop for the aging Tom Brady back in 2020.

 

TB12 duly brought the Lombardi to Raymond James Stadium for the first time in a generation, and even since he rode off into the sunset, the streak has continued. Baker Mayfield was considered a draft bust in Cleveland, but he has resurrected his career in 2025, and he was an MVP contender earlier this season before his form tailed off somewhat.

 

Still, they remain the favorites to win the NFC South this term and thus continue their postseason streak. Super Bowl LX glory does feel somewhat ambitious, though.

Philadelphia Eagles – 4 Seasons

There’s something about these Philadelphia Eagles—they just keep finding ways to stay in the mix. Four straight playoff berths, fueled by consistent NFC East dominance and that explosive offense led by Jalen Hurts. He’s grown into a true dual-threat nightmare. Saquon Barkley’s addition has supercharged the run game, and the defensive front remains downright nasty.

 

The Birds famously won last season's Super Bowl, shockingly mauling the history-seeking Chiefs. This season, the road has been somewhat more daunting, and their recent run of three straight losses has set alarm bells ringing. Still, a bounce-back victory against the Raiders in week 15 keeps them in command of the NFC East, and a fifth postseason appearance is all but guaranteed.