The Detroit Lions have struggled in recent years. Before each season, there seems to be an expectation that the Lions will prove their fans wrong and have a successful season, but the Lions can’t seem to exceed those expectations.

Now the Lions have had some seasons where they have advanced to the playoffs. In fact, the last time the Lions made the playoffs was in 2016. But, the Lions have not won a playoff game in over 25 years.

The Detroit Lions last playoff appearance came in 2016

The Lions entered the 2016 NFL season looking to improve on their previous season record where they finished 7-9. Under head coach Jim Caldwell, the Lions made improvements during the 2016 season. The Lions started the season with a 39-35 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. After winning their first game of the season, the Lions struggled. They went on a three-game losing streak.

Heading into Week 5, the Lions had a 1-3 record, and they needed to turn their season around. The Lions went on to win their next four out of five games, and they also went on a five-game winning streak. After Week 14, the Lions had a 9-4 record and were in a good position to make the playoffs. Just when the Lions were on a hot streak during the season, they hit a wall losing their last three games of the season.

Even though the Lions finished the season on a three-game losing streak, they were able to make the playoffs. The Lions went into the playoffs as the last seed and took on the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round. Seattle dominated the Lions, defeating them 26-6. The Lions have not made the playoffs since.

How many times have the Lions appeared in the playoffs?

It has not been the best time for Lions fans in recent years as the team has not won a playoff game. When the Lions made the playoffs in 2016, that was their 17th time in franchise history making the playoffs. The first time they advanced to the playoffs, you have to go all the way back to 1935. Detroit did have success in the early years as they won four NFL championships before the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Since 2000, the Lions have appeared three times in the playoffs (2011, 2014, 2016). Lions’ fans have not had anything to be excited about in a long time, and the way the season is looking in 2020, fans should not get their hopes up. There’s no telling when the Lions will win a playoff game. Hopefully, Lions’ fans won’t be waiting too much longer.

The Lions last playoff win came in 1992

You have to go back 28 years when the Lions won their last playoff game. During the 1991 season, the Lions won the NFC Central Division finishing the regular season with a 12-4 record. Going into the playoffs, the Lions took on the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. On Jan. 5, 1992, the game took place as the Lions dominated against the Cowboys, defeating them 38-6.

Detroit advanced to the NFC Championship game and took on the Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Football Team). The Lions had no answer against Washington as they lost 41-10. Since then, the Lions have not made it that far in the playoffs, nor have they won a playoff game. Young Lions fans have never experienced a playoff win, and there’s no telling when that will happen again.