Teams that qualify for the NFL Playoffs are usually competitive or at least above average, but the key word is “Usually”. Whether it be because of an awful division, uncompetitive conference, or just good luck, one way or another, teams that are mediocre or worse occasionally sneak into the postseason. So here are the 10 teams with the worst NFL records to ever make the playoffs:

2010 Seahawks:

 7-9, -97 point differential

The 2010 Seahawks had an offense and defense that both ranked in the bottom ten in the league, and a point differential of -97; thus, this team was even worse than their already subpar record indicated. The Seahawks only made the postseason after a do-or-die week 17 matchup against the Rams, where they squeezed out a 16-6 defensive win.

Their first playoff game, however, was far from defensive, as Seattle edged out the heavily favored Saints in a 41-36 shootout. Marshawn Lynch scored one of the most iconic touchdowns in NFL history, causing seismic activity from the deafening Seahawks’ fans. The Seahawks’ 7-9 magic ended abruptly at the hands of a far superior Bears team in the divisional round, with a 35-24 loss. 

2020 Commanders:

7-9, +6 point differential

The 2020 Commanders squeezed into the playoffs with a crisp seven wins thanks to an easy schedule and an even easier NFC East.   After holding the NFL’s worst record in the prior season, the Commanders’ defense, led by rookies Chase Young and Montez Sweat, shocked many by ranking 4th in the league in scoring and becoming the primary reason for the team’s unexpected playoff berth.

The defense was especially dominant down the stretch, battling from a 2-7 start to reach the postseason, even handing the 11-0 Steelers their first loss of the season.

The offense, however, was a different matter, ranking 25th in scoring thanks to a revolving door at quarterback and a lack of offensive weapons outside of Terry McLaurin. The 2020 Commanders even broke an NFL record, having four different starting quarterbacks throughout the season. The Commanders were surprisingly competitive in the Wild Card round against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers, but were outlasted by a score of 31-23.

2017 Bills:

 9-7, -57 point differential

The Bills broke an 18-year playoff drought in 2017, but not in the way that they would have liked to. The Bills were not a conventional playoff team, especially not after an embarrassing 54-24 loss to the Chargers, with Nathan Peterman throwing a historic five interceptions in the first half. Despite the Bills’ leading receiver recording just 558 yards, they won down the stretch by pounding the ground with LeSean McCoy.

 After a week 17 win over Miami, the Bills relied on a 44-yard game-winning touchdown from Tyler Boyd in the final minute to eliminate the Ravens and send the Bills to the wild card round. After Buffalo snagged a playoff berth, their one-dimensional offense was dominated by the Sacksonville defense in a 10-3 Wild Card Round loss.

2022 Buccaneers:

8-9, -45 point differential

The new playoff format and extra game of the season made making the postseason as a mediocre team much easier, and the 2022 Bucs certainly took advantage of this. At age 46, Tom Brady didn’t have much left in the tank, and the absence of Rob Gronkowski or a running attack didn’t help matters. However, what did help matters was playing in a horrendous NFC South, which featured a 29-39 combined record for the 2022 season. Tampa had a slightly above average defense and a 207-yard performance from Mike Evans, which was just barely enough to propel them into the playoff bracket.

Losing a playoff game to the Cowboys is a clear sign that you don’t belong in the postseason, as Tom Brady’s last career game featured a 34-11 blowout loss. 

2014 Panthers:

 7-8-1, -35 point differential

The NFC South has once again produced an undeserving team that makes the playoffs, and this time it’s the 2014 Panthers reaping the benefits of a subpar division. 

A 3-8-1 record at the end of November nearly cost Ron Rivera his job, but an otherwise below-average defense allowed under 18 points for four consecutive games, keeping Carolina’s playoff hopes afloat.

Led by a young Cam Newton at quarterback, and two 1,000+ yard receivers in Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen, the offense ranked 12th in the league and was the focal point of the team. The Panthers managed to win a playoff game over a Cardinals team that was without their starting quarterback, after Carson Palmer suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Carolina lost 31-17 to the Seahawks in the following week.

1989 Steelers:

9-7, -61 point differential

The 1989 Steelers had a horrendous -61 point differential, the 8th worst in the league that season. The Steelers earned that mark thanks to a 51-0 week 1 loss to the Browns, a 41-10 loss to the Bengals, and a 34-7 loss to the Broncos. The Steelers had one of the worst offenses to reach the postseason, averaging just 16.6 points per game, and quarterback Bubby Brister threw for just 2,365 yards.

However, the offense showed up when it mattered, winning 26-23 over an Oilers’ team that should not have been in the playoffs either. In the divisional round, Pittsburgh came one point short of the 1st-seeded Broncos, who trailed the Steelers for almost the entire game, eventually winning 24-23.

2011 Broncos:

8-8, -81 point differential

In 2011, the Broncos played in a division that featured three 8-8 teams and one 7-9 team, yet they were still the third-worst team in that division and made the playoffs. The Broncos’ defense ranked 24th, their offense ranked 25th, but 7 of their 8 wins were decided by one score, including two crucial wins against the division-rival Chargers and Raiders.

Once the Broncos reached the postseason, Tebowmania officially peaked in the wild card round, with an upset overtime win over the Steelers. However, the Broncos fell back down to earth in a 45-10 divisional round loss to the Patriots.

2004 Rams:

8-8, -73 point differential

The 2004 Rams were no longer the Greatest Show on Turf, as their offense ranked 25th in the league, but they still found a way into the playoffs. The Rams’ divisional opponents had a combined record of 15-31; thus, all they needed were two overtime wins over the Saints and Jets to make the playoffs despite recording a -73 point differential.

Outside of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, the Rams’ 1,000+ yard receivers, this team had very little depth offensively, as Marshall Faulk was past his prime. The Falcons heavily exploited the Rams’ 4th-worst ranked rush defense in the divisional round, as Atlanta ran for a whopping 327 yards, in a 47-17 beatdown.

1998 Cardinals:

9-7, -53 point differential

The 1998 Cardinals had only one Pro Bowler, but they weren’t completely void of talent. Safety Kwamie Lassiter led the team with eight interceptions, and the Cards had 1,000+ yard players at running back and receiver.

While the Cardinals were wildly inconsistent throughout the 1998 season, they won the final three games of the season, all by 3 points or less. Despite a 24th-ranked defense, the Cowboys were held to just 7 points in the Wild Card round against Arizona, earning the Cardinals their first postseason victory since 1947. The Cardinals’ roller coaster of a season ended with a 41-21 blowout loss to the Vikings in the divisional round.

1978 Falcons:

9-7, -50 point differential

The 1978 Falcons were the lowest-scoring team in playoff history, averaging just 15 points per game. The Falcons’ leading rusher and receiver both had about 700 yards, and quarterback Steve Bartkowski threw 10 touchdowns to 18 interceptions.

 After the Falcons made the playoffs despite their inconsistencies and dysfunctional offense, they played up to their opponents, narrowly beating the Eagles in round 1 and narrowly falling to the Cowboys in round 2. Atlanta staged a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback against Philly after being shut out during the previous three quarters. The Falcons were shut out in the final two quarters in the Divisional Round, losing 27-20 to the Cowboys.

1991 Jets:

 8-8, +21 point differential

The Jets beat zero playoff teams during the 1991 season, but somehow found a way into the playoffs, thanks to a pivotal week 17 win over the Dolphins. That week 17 game was a rare winner-take-all season finale that decided which team would be the playoff’s final seed. The game took until overtime to select the winner, making it easily the most exciting the Jets were all season. Despite not beating any playoff teams in the regular season, the Jets managed to keep pace with the Oilers in the Wild Card Round, staying within one score for the entire game, but eventually losing 17-10.