Everyone loves a winning streak. That small window of time when a team can do no wrong. Here are the six longest winning streaks in NFL history
3 (tie). Denver Broncos, 1997-98 (18 Games)
The Broncos started their streak by decimating the San Diego Chargers 38-3 to end the 1997 regular season with a 12-4 record. Three playoff wins and a Super Bowl victory later, the Broncos’ winning ways rolled right into the next season.
Dreams of an undefeated 1998 season were dashed in Week 15 by a New York Giants team that can only be described as “meh,” but the Broncos would go on to win a second consecutive Super Bowl nonetheless. Fun fact: Legendary quarterback John Elway retired after this Super Bowl win. Now that’s how you end a career.
When It Started: Dec. 21, 1997
When It Ended: Dec. 13, 1998
3 (tie). San Francisco 49ers, 1989-90 (18 Games)
The reigning Super Bowl champion 49ers’ second of only two losses this season, a 21-17 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, would be their last for over a year.
After a legendary run that included their second straight Super Bowl victory, a 28-17 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 of the 1990 season was the beginning of the end for the Niners’ dream of a three-peat. The 49ers would lose in the NFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl winner New York Giants.
When It Started: Nov. 27, 1989
When It Ended: Nov. 25, 1990
3 (tie). New England Patriots, 2007-08 (18 Games)
This Tom Brady and Randy Moss-led team was amazing. The 2007 season-opening 38-14 whoopin’ the Pats put on the New York Jets proved indicative of the 21-point average by which the Patriots would outscore their opponents that season.
Like our previous entry, the New York Giants played spoiler to the New England Patriots with a 17-14 victory in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played.
When It Started: Sept. 9, 2007
When It Ended: Feb. 3, 2008
3 (tie). Miami Dolphins, 1972-73 (18 Games)
Here they are, the 1972 Miami Dolphins – the only team in NFL history to win every game from Week 1 to Mr. Lombardi. The legendary season started with a 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. What came next was 18 straight wins – including a 14-7 win over Washington in Super Bowl VII.
While the Dolphins would go on to win their second straight Super Bowl the following season, they saw their streak end at 18 with a 12-7 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 2.
When It Started: Sept. 17, 1972
When It Ended: Sept. 23, 1973
2. Green Bay Packers 2010-11 (19 Games)
Green Bay’s 45-17 win over the New York Giants in late 2010 jump-started the NFL’s second-longest winning streak. The Packers finished the 2010 season with six straight wins, ending with a 31-25 triumph over the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Green Bay picked up where it left off the next season, rattling off 13 consecutive wins before losing the Chiefs 19-14 on Dec. 18, 2011.
When It Started: Dec. 26, 2010
When It Ended: Dec. 18, 2011
1. New England Patriots, 2003-04 (21 Games)
The Patriots started the 2003 season with a 2-2 record, the second defeat a 20-17 nail-biter against the then Washington Redskins in Week 4. New England would not lose again for more than a full calendar year.
After winning 12 straight regular season games and a Super Bowl, the Pats would experience the first of two defeats on the way to winning back-to-back Super Bowl victories. The 34-20 loss to the Steelers on Halloween of 2004 was an apt defeat, considering the Patriots were scaring the heck out of the rest of the league.
When It Started: Oct. 5, 2003
When It Ended: Oct. 31, 2004
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