NFL teams sitting at 1-3 still have playoff hopes
By Josh Sanchez
There are plenty of teams around the league that have gotten off the season to a poor start, but just because they finished off the first month of the season with a losing record does not mean that they have no chance of making the postseason.
In fact, since 1990 a total of 23 teams have been able to rebound from a losing record after four weeks to make a playoff run.
From NFL Media:
"Since the current playoff system (12 teams) was instituted in 1990, 23 teams have rebounded from a losing record after four weeks to qualify for the postseason. Four of those clubs advanced to their Conference Championship Games, including the 2001 New England Patriots (1-3) en route to their Super Bowl XXXVI victory."
Here is a list of teams that have made the postseason following a dreadful 1-3 start to the season, since 1990:
YEAR | TEAM | RECORD | ADVANCED TO: |
1990 | New Orleans | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
1990 | Philadelphia | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
1991 | NY Jets | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
1992 | San Diego | 0-4 | Divisional Playoffs |
1993 | Green Bay | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
1993 | Houston | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
1995 | Detroit | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
1995 | Philadelphia | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
1996 | Dallas | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
1996 | Jacksonville | 1-3 | Championship Game |
1997 | NY Giants | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
1998 | Buffalo | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
2000 | New Orleans | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
2001 | New England | 1-3 | Won Super Bowl XXXVI |
2002 | Atlanta | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
2002 | Tennessee | 1-3 | Championship Game |
2002 | NY Jets | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
2002 | Pittsburgh | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
2004 | Green Bay | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
2005 | Chicago | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
2007 | San Diego | 1-3 | Championship Game |
2008 | Minnesota | 1-3 | Wild Card Playoffs |
2011 | Denver | 1-3 | Divisional Playoffs |
So for those of you who are disappointed with how your team has kicked off the new year, there is still hope. It could be a long season, but there is plenty of football left to play.