The Buffalo Sabres are officially playoff-bound, ending a 15-year drought. Their long-awaited success, however, has unexpectedly shifted the spotlight onto the NFL's New York Jets, who now find themselves holding an unwanted record.

As one historic drought ended in dramatic fashion, another franchise, the New York Jets, found itself alone holding a record no team ever wants to claim.

For years, the Sabres carried the burden of the longest playoff drought in the National Hockey League. The team last appeared in the postseason during the 2010–11 season. 

The moment came when the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a regular-season game on April 04, 2026 (Saturday). The Rangers won the game 4-1, which means the Sabres have mathematically and officially secured their spot in this season’s playoffs. 

But one team’s breakthrough becomes another team’s burden. Following this breakthrough, the New York Jets, a team in the National Football League, have now become the franchise with the longest active streak of missing the playoffs in North American sports.

The New York Jets have not reached the NFL playoffs in the last 15 seasons. Their last appearance in the post-season was in the 2010 AFC Championship Game.

Since then, the franchise has endured a prolonged period of struggles marked by roster instability, quarterback changes, and rebuilding efforts.

Let’s now see which other franchises are struggling to reach the playoffs in other North American sports. 

The Buffalo Sabres Moved On — But Many Teams Are Still Stuck in Playoff Limbo

There are four major leagues in North American sports. Now that the playoff curse of the Buffalo Sabres has ended and the wait continues for the New York Jets, two other teams are also seeing their droughts grow longer. 

In the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets have not reached the playoffs in the last 9 seasons. Their last playoff appearance came in the 2016 Eastern Conference first round.

The Los Angeles Angels are the ones who have the longest streak of not playing in the postseason in MLB. Their last postseason appearance was in the 2014 American League Division Series (11 seasons ago). 

Meanwhile, the Sabres’ resurgence serves as a reminder that fortunes in professional sports can change quickly. It has unintentionally placed additional pressure on the Jets, who now carry a record no team wants.

The Buffalo Sabres are currently sitting at No. 3 in the Atlantic (Eastern) Division standings with 100 points. Their next game is against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 06, 2026. 

In sports, records are often celebrated, but this is one distinction defined by frustration rather than pride.

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi