Football (North America: NFL, CFL, Arena Football, minor leagues)

[Buck87]

(Bonus points if you can name the 1 NFC team that hasn't done so.)

without looking, I'll throw out the 49ers

wanna say they had a lot of non playoff years, but got first round byes those years they made the playoffs with Harbaugh

[Alps]

(Bonus points if you can name the 1 NFC team that hasn't done so.)

without looking, I'll throw out the 49ers

wanna say they had a lot of non playoff years, but got first round byes those years they made the playoffs with Harbaugh

With looking, I'll throw out the Bucs. Last in the postseason 2007, despite a lot of mediocre-good teams.

[Buck87]

Interesting stat: from 2010-2019, only two AFC teams never played in a wild card round. One was the Cleveland Browns. The other: the New England Patriots.

Just looked it up, and that Patriots stat is incorrect.

If you're going by calendar year, it's wrong because they lost in the wild card round on Jan 10, 2010 following the 2009 season.
If you're going by season it's wrong because they are playing in the wild card round in the 2019 season.

Also, I see my above guess of the 49ers is also wrong. Let's see if someone else can come up with it.
Edit: Alps already did

[LM117]

I saw this last night, and got a good laugh out of it:
"At the start of Week 12, the Redskins needed 15 straight games to break their way to win the division. The Cowboys' loss to the Bears is the 7th straight."
So, you never know - it still could be the Redskins that get to host a home playoff game! 

On the bright side, the Redskins helped the Panthers by sealing the deal on Ron Rivera's fate. It was tough to read about his firing, but it needed to happen. Tepper isn't fucking around.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28219337/panthers-owner-david-tepper-ron-rivera-firing-thought-was

Ironically, Rivera is now the new Redskins head coach.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001093440/article/ron-rivera-hired-as-new-washington-redskins-coach

[1995hoo]

https://twitter.com/belkbowl/status/1212106226294808576?s=21

[LM117]

I saw this last night, and got a good laugh out of it:
"At the start of Week 12, the Redskins needed 15 straight games to break their way to win the division. The Cowboys' loss to the Bears is the 7th straight."
So, you never know - it still could be the Redskins that get to host a home playoff game! 

On the bright side, the Redskins helped the Panthers by sealing the deal on Ron Rivera's fate. It was tough to read about his firing, but it needed to happen. Tepper isn't fucking around.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28219337/panthers-owner-david-tepper-ron-rivera-firing-thought-was

Ironically, Rivera is now the new Redskins head coach.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001093440/article/ron-rivera-hired-as-new-washington-redskins-coach

Press release from the Redskins:

https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-announce-ron-rivera-as-head-coach

[webny99]

I used to be in favor of expanding the playoffs to 14 or 16 teams. But I just realized that 29 out of 32 teams have made it in the past five years. Only the Jets, Browns, and Bucs, have not made it since 2014 or before.
Plus, it's kind of cool to have an intense race for the playoffs, which makes the regular season matter more.

I would, however, be in favor of wild cards hosting in the first round if they have a better recond than a division winner. The "seeding" would work the same, but it would just be the best 2 records among the 3-6 seeds that get to host. So this year the Seahawks would be hosting instead of the Eagles, while the AFC would remain unchanged.

[roadman]

I used to be in favor of expanding the playoffs to 14 or 16 teams. But I just realized that 29 out of 32 teams have made it in the past five years. Only the Jets, Browns, and Bucs, have not made it since 2014 or before.
Plus, it's kind of cool to have an intense race for the playoffs, which makes the regular season matter more.

I would, however, be in favor of wild cards hosting in the first round if they have a better recond than a division winner. The "seeding" would work the same, but it would just be the best 2 records among the 3-6 seeds that get to host. So this year the Seahawks would be hosting instead of the Eagles, while the AFC would remain unchanged.

Actually, ALL playoff games from the first round should be held on a neutral field.

[jeffandnicole]

I used to be in favor of expanding the playoffs to 14 or 16 teams. But I just realized that 29 out of 32 teams have made it in the past five years. Only the Jets, Browns, and Bucs, have not made it since 2014 or before.
Plus, it's kind of cool to have an intense race for the playoffs, which makes the regular season matter more.

I would, however, be in favor of wild cards hosting in the first round if they have a better recond than a division winner. The "seeding" would work the same, but it would just be the best 2 records among the 3-6 seeds that get to host. So this year the Seahawks would be hosting instead of the Eagles, while the AFC would remain unchanged.

Actually, ALL playoff games from the first round should be held on a neutral field.

That would make for a boring NFL weekend for the teams.  One of the highlights of football is the crowd intensity.  It also is a revenue generator for the teams that hosts the games.  Also, how and when would you determine where a game would be held?  If you pick a neutral site beforehand, it could easily be very close to one of the participating teams anyway, if not in their own stadium.  If you wait until after the teams and seedings are announced, a random stadium and city has less than a week to prepare for the game.  It basically becomes a logistical nightmare for all teams involved.

[Max Rockatansky]

I used to be in favor of expanding the playoffs to 14 or 16 teams. But I just realized that 29 out of 32 teams have made it in the past five years. Only the Jets, Browns, and Bucs, have not made it since 2014 or before.
Plus, it's kind of cool to have an intense race for the playoffs, which makes the regular season matter more.

I would, however, be in favor of wild cards hosting in the first round if they have a better recond than a division winner. The "seeding" would work the same, but it would just be the best 2 records among the 3-6 seeds that get to host. So this year the Seahawks would be hosting instead of the Eagles, while the AFC would remain unchanged.

Actually, ALL playoff games from the first round should be held on a neutral field.

That would make for a boring NFL weekend for the teams.  One of the highlights of football is the crowd intensity.  It also is a revenue generator for the teams that hosts the games.  Also, how and when would you determine where a game would be held?  If you pick a neutral site beforehand, it could easily be very close to one of the participating teams anyway, if not in their own stadium.  If you wait until after the teams and seedings are announced, a random stadium and city has less than a week to prepare for the game.  It basically becomes a logistical nightmare for all teams involved.

And would the games even sell out?  I remember the Chargers couldn't even fill Sun Devil stadium when they had to play a game in Tempe because of fire in San Diego.  The game was free to attend and I think maybe 45,000 showed up. 

[thspfc]

Actually, ALL playoff games from the first round should be held on a neutral field.

No, no, no. If playoff games were all on a neutral field, teams would earn a playoff berth with weeks to spare and then rest their starters for the last few games, which would result in a huge ratings drop for the league.

[Beltway]

Actually, ALL playoff games from the first round should be held on a neutral field.

No, no, no. If playoff games were all on a neutral field, teams would earn a playoff berth with weeks to spare and then rest their starters for the last few games, which would result in a huge ratings drop for the league.

Where would they find a neutral field?

Halfway between the two teams, and at the closest NFL stadium to that point?

So if it was Washington against New York, they would play in Philadelphia?

[Big John]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

[Beltway]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

Another team that had a miserable season this year.

[Max Rockatansky]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

Another team that had a miserable season this year.

And the Cowboys will probably still win only 7 to 9 games with whoever coaches next.  It will still be headline news because nobody can seem to accept the Cowboys are a mediocre franchise. 

[Beltway]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

Another team that had a miserable season this year.

And the Cowboys will probably still win only 7 to 9 games with whoever coaches next.  It will still be headline news because nobody can seem to accept the Cowboys are a mediocre franchise. 

In the last 10 years, only 4 winning seasons, and the two really good ones (12-4 in 2014 and 13-3 in 2016), they lost to Green Bay in the divisional playoffs.

[SSOWorld]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

Another team that had a miserable season this year.

And the Cowboys will probably still win only 7 to 9 games with whoever coaches next.  It will still be headline news because Jerry Jones can't seem to accept the Cowboys are a mediocre franchise. 

FTFY!

Team cohesion goes sour, often results in one person moving on.  players are the same - as are the rest of us.

[webny99]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

Another team that had a miserable season this year.

And the Cowboys will probably still win only 7 to 9 games with whoever coaches next.  It will still be headline news because nobody can seem to accept the Cowboys are a mediocre franchise.

Mediocre teams aren't capable of piling up 30 and 40+ points against good defenses and ending the season with a +110 point differential. The Cowboys have had a lot of head scratching-results this season, but it's more to do with bad luck, bad coaching, and inconsistency, than actual lack of talent.

[Max Rockatansky]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has been fired  today.

Another team that had a miserable season this year.

And the Cowboys will probably still win only 7 to 9 games with whoever coaches next.  It will still be headline news because nobody can seem to accept the Cowboys are a mediocre franchise.

Mediocre teams aren't capable of piling up 30 and 40+ points against good defenses and ending the season with a +110 point differential. The Cowboys have had a lot of head scratching-results this season, but it's more to do with bad luck, bad coaching, and inconsistency, than actual lack of talent.

Hence mediocrity, it's been over two decades since they've been really relevant.  A couple good years doesn't make a team that's worthy of national headlines everyday on ESPN.  People have been making similar excuses for similar results ever since they won their last Super Bowl.  If this was any other team they would have faded from the National spotlight long ago. 

[Beltway]

Mediocre teams aren't capable of piling up 30 and 40+ points against good defenses and ending the season with a +110 point differential. The Cowboys have had a lot of head scratching-results this season, but it's more to do with bad luck, bad coaching, and inconsistency, than actual lack of talent.

Hence mediocrity, it's been over two decades since they've been really relevant.  A couple good years doesn't make a team that's worthy of national headlines everyday on ESPN.  People have been making similar excuses for similar results ever since they won their last Super Bowl.  If this was any other team they would have faded from the National spotlight long ago. 

Like the Redskins.  Had a run of 4 Super Bowls 1982-1992 and haven't done much since.

Fans at the home games report that often you see more fans/jerseys of the opponent.

[Max Rockatansky]

Mediocre teams aren't capable of piling up 30 and 40+ points against good defenses and ending the season with a +110 point differential. The Cowboys have had a lot of head scratching-results this season, but it's more to do with bad luck, bad coaching, and inconsistency, than actual lack of talent.

Hence mediocrity, it's been over two decades since they've been really relevant.  A couple good years doesn't make a team that's worthy of national headlines everyday on ESPN.  People have been making similar excuses for similar results ever since they won their last Super Bowl.  If this was any other team they would have faded from the National spotlight long ago. 

Like the Redskins.  Had a run of 4 Super Bowls 1982-1992 and haven't done much since.

Fans at the home games report that often you see more fans/jerseys of the opponent.

Yes, but nobody aside from probably die hard Redskins fans are anchored to the glory of the Joe Gibbs era.  Similarly franchises like the; 49ers, Steelers, Dolphins, and Raiders who have some checkered pasts always fall out of the spotlight when they aren't fielding a good team.  So what makes the Cowboys so special that they matter so much when they have an 8-8 team?  I suppose this the question of why they are the so called "America's Team."    I've really never understood how the the Cowboys have so much popularity after the 90s that they remain a popular discussion point now.  I seem to recall the Cowboys were on nobody's radar when they sucked in the 1980s.  Nobody was riding the glory years of the 1970s, so what changed?

[thspfc]

So what makes the Cowboys so special that they matter so much when they have an 8-8 team?  I suppose this the question of why they are the so called "America's Team."    I've really never understood how the the Cowboys have so much popularity after the 90s that they remain a popular discussion point now.  I seem to recall the Cowboys were on nobody's radar when they sucked in the 1980s.  Nobody was riding the glory years of the 1970s, so what changed?

Hmmmm, let me think about it.

- They have the largest fanbase.
- They're in one of the largest markets.
- They are the most valuable sports franchise in the world.
- They have a multi-billionaire owner who built a massive stadium.

[Max Rockatansky]

So what makes the Cowboys so special that they matter so much when they have an 8-8 team?  I suppose this the question of why they are the so called "America's Team."    I've really never understood how the the Cowboys have so much popularity after the 90s that they remain a popular discussion point now.  I seem to recall the Cowboys were on nobody's radar when they sucked in the 1980s.  Nobody was riding the glory years of the 1970s, so what changed?

Hmmmm, let me think about it.

- They have the largest fanbase.
- They're in one of the largest markets.
- They are the most valuable sports franchise in the world.
- They have a multi-billionaire owner who built a massive stadium.

Yes, I'm just questioning why the fan base is so large.  It really wasn't all "that"  big until the Super Bowls of the 1990s.  So what is the resonating point for so many people that other multiple Super Bowl winners since haven't managed to achieve?  I really don't get it, Dallas as a City is kind of bland compared to other cities like Denver, Boston or New York which all have had repeat Super Bowl Champions since they last major heyday of the Cowboys.  Is there some sort of "Americana"  I'm completely missing that the Cowboys are meant to represent?  If so, what exactly is the draw?

[Beltway]

Hmmmm, let me think about it.
- They have the largest fanbase.
- They're in one of the largest markets.
- They are the most valuable sports franchise in the world.
- They have a multi-billionaire owner who built a massive stadium.

You could say that or nearly all of that of New York (19 million metro pop.) and Minneapolis (4 million), with their recent billion+ dollar stadiums.

Yes, I'm just questioning why the fan base is so large.  It really wasn't all "that"  big until the Super Bowls of the 1990s.  So what is the resonating point for so many people that other multiple Super Bowl winners since haven't managed to achieve?  I really don't get it, Dallas as a City is kind of bland compared to other cities like Denver, Boston or New York which all have had repeat Super Bowl Champions since they last major heyday of the Cowboys.  Is there some sort of "Americana"  I'm completely missing that the Cowboys are meant to represent?  If so, what exactly is the draw?

Especially since it is only the last 20 years or so that Dallas/Fort Worth has shed (or mostly shed) its "wild west" image, no matter whether deserved or not. 

After all, from the perspective of an Easterner like myself, what does the name "Cowboys" itself connote?

[Max Rockatansky]

Hmmmm, let me think about it.
- They have the largest fanbase.
- They're in one of the largest markets.
- They are the most valuable sports franchise in the world.
- They have a multi-billionaire owner who built a massive stadium.

You could say that or nearly all of that of New York (19 million metro pop.) and Minneapolis (4 million), with their recent billion+ dollar stadiums.

Yes, I'm just questioning why the fan base is so large.  It really wasn't all "that"  big until the Super Bowls of the 1990s.  So what is the resonating point for so many people that other multiple Super Bowl winners since haven't managed to achieve?  I really don't get it, Dallas as a City is kind of bland compared to other cities like Denver, Boston or New York which all have had repeat Super Bowl Champions since they last major heyday of the Cowboys.  Is there some sort of "Americana"  I'm completely missing that the Cowboys are meant to represent?  If so, what exactly is the draw?

Especially since it is only the last 20 years or so that Dallas/Fort Worth has shed (or mostly shed) its "wild west" image, no matter whether deserved or not. 

After all, from the perspective of an Easterner like myself, what does the name "Cowboys" itself connote?

Amusingly I associate "Cowboys"  with their more truer origins in Florida rather than Texas.  Dallas itself is one of the least "western"  cities in Texas, at certainly way less so than San Antionio or El Paso.  The best I can figure is that the team (especially the name) somehow endears to those who consider themselves "rugged Americans."    Of course I would venture a guess that many Cowboys fans outside of Texas would be hugely disappointed with how domestic Dallas really is.