Undefeated/Winless in NFL Preseason Play
Posted by Andrew McKillop on July 29, 2011
Important Note: There was an error in how percentages were captured. The percentages have since been corrected.
Post Highlights
- Since 2000, 45% of the teams that completed an undefeated preseason, went on to complete a winning regular season.
- Seven teams went from an undefeated preseason to a Super Bowl championship: ’67 Packers, ’69 Chiefs, ’71 Cowboys, ’74 Steelers, ’90 Giants, 00′ Ravens, ’03 Patriots.
- Since 2000, 48% of the teams that went winless during the preseason, finished the regular season with a losing record.
- The 1982 Washington Redskins are the only team to win a Super Bowl after going winless in the preseason.
A team’s record during the preseason doesn’t count for anything during the regular season, but a solid preseason can raise expectations going into the regular season. On the other side a poor preseason can increase feelings of apprehension going into the regular season.
Listed below are all instances of undefeated/winless preseasons.
Note: A team must have played a total of three preseason games vs. league opponents to have their undefeated/winless preseason counted (includes all data in this post).
Undefeated/Winless in NFL Preseason Play
Legend: Pre Rec (preseason record), Reg Rec (regular season record)
| Arizona Cardinals – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Chicago | 1947 | 3-0 | 9-3-0 | NFL Champions |
| Chicago | 1948 | 3-0 | 11-1-0 | Lost NFL Championship |
| Phoenix | 1991 | 4-0 | 4-12-0 | |
| 2003 | 4-0 | 4-12-0 | ||
| Arizona Cardinals – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Phoenix | 1990 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | |
| 2007 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| 2009 | 0-4 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| Atlanta Falcons – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1990 | 4-0 | 5-11-0 | ||
| 2002 | 4-0 | 9-6-1 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| Atlanta Falcons – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1979 | 0-4 | 6-10-0 | ||
| 2003 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Baltimore Ravens – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1998 | 4-0 | 6-10-0 | ||
| 1999 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | ||
| 2000 | 4-0 | 12-4-0 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| 2009 | 4-0 | 9-7-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| Baltimore Ravens – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1997 | 0-4 | 6-9-1 | ||
| Buffalo Bills – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| None | ||||
| Buffalo Bills – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1961 | 0-3 | 6-8-0 | ||
| 1973 | 0-6 | 9-5-0 | ||
| 1978 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | ||
| 1979 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 1985 | 0-3-1 | 2-14-0 | ||
| 1990 | 0-4 | 13-3-0 | Lost Super Bowl | |
| 2002 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Carolina Panthers – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 2003 | 4-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost Super Bowl | |
| 2004 | 4-0 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 2006 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Carolina Panthers – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1997 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 2000 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 2009 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Chicago Bears – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1943 | 3-0 | 8-1-1 | NFL Champions | |
| 1946 | 4-0 | 8-2-1 | NFL Champions | |
| 1947 | 3-0 | 8-4-0 | ||
| 1958 | 6-0 | 8-4-0 | ||
| 1994 | 4-0 | 9-7-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| Chicago Bears – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1962 | 0-5 | 9-5-0 | ||
| 1978 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 1998 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | ||
| 2010 | 0-4 | 11-5-0 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| Cincinnati Bengals – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1971 | 5-0-1 | 4-10-0 | ||
| 2006 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Cincinnati Bengals – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1983 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 1999 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | ||
| Cleveland Browns – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| AAFC | 1949 | 2-0-1 | 9-1-2 | AAFC Champion |
| 1950 | 5-0 | 10-2-0 | NFL Champion | |
| 1962 | 5-0 | 7-6-1 | ||
| 1982 | 4-0 | 4-5-0 | Lost 1st Round | |
| 1986 | 4-0 | 12-4-0 | Lost AFC Championship | |
| Cleveland Browns – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1972 | 0-6 | 10-4-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 2008 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | ||
| Dallas Cowboys – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1966 | 5-0 | 10-3-1 | Lost Division Championship | |
| 1971 | 6-0 | 11-3-0 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| 1985 | 4-0 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 2006 | 3-0-1 | 9-7-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| Dallas Cowboys – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1962 | 0-5 | 5-8-1 | ||
| 1986 | 0-5 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 1998 | 0-5 | 10-6-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| 2000 | 0-5 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Denver Broncos – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 2000 | 4-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| 2005 | 4-0 | 13-3-0 | Lost AFC Championship | |
| Denver Broncos – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1960 | 0-5 | 4-9-1 | ||
| Detroit Lions – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1952 | 6-0 | 9-3-0 | NFL Champions | |
| 1954 | 5-0 | 9-2-1 | Lost NFL Championship | |
| 1990 | 4-0 | 6-10-0 | ||
| 1993 | 4-0-1 | 10-6-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| 2008 | 4-0 | 0-16-0 | ||
| Detroit Lions – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1947 | 0-3 | 3-9-0 | ||
| 1966 | 0-4-1 | 4-9-1 | ||
| 1988 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | ||
| 1989 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| Green Bay Packers – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1948 | 3-0 | 3-9-0 | ||
| 1957 | 5-0-1 | 3-9-0 | ||
| 1960 | 6-0 | 8-4-0 | Lost NFL Championship | |
| 1961 | 5-0 | 11-3-0 | NFL Champions | |
| 1962 | 5-0 | 13-1-0 | NFL Champions | |
| 1963 | 5-0 | 11-2-1 | ||
| 1967 | 5-0 | 9-4-1 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| 1970 | 3-0-3 | 6-8-0 | ||
| 1997 | 5-0 | 13-3-0 | Lost Super Bowl | |
| 1999 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Green Bay Packers – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1946 | 0-3 | 6-5-0 | ||
| 1980 | 0-4-1 | 5-10-1 | ||
| 1987 | 0-4 | 5-9-1 | ||
| Houston Texans – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| None | ||||
| Houston Texans – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 2003 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Indianapolis Colts – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Baltimore | 1965 | 5-0 | 10-3-1 | Lost Divisional Round |
| Baltimore | 1966 | 5-0 | 9-5-0 | |
| Baltimore | 1969 | 6-0 | 8-5-1 | |
| 1989 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | ||
| 1994 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Indianapolis Colts – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Baltimore | 1981 | 0-4 | 2-14-0 | |
| 1990 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 2005 | 0-5 | 14-2-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 2010 | 0-4 | 10-6-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1997 | 4-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| None | ||||
| Kansas City Chiefs – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Dal. Texans | 1960 | 6-0 | 8-6-0 | |
| 1966 | 4-0 | 11-2-1 | Lost Super Bowl | |
| 1969 | 6-0 | 11-3-0 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| Kansas City Chiefs – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 2000 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| 2005 | 0-4 | 10-6-0 | ||
| 2007 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | ||
| 2009 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | ||
| Miami Dolphins – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1976 | 6-0 | 6-8-0 | ||
| 1979 | 4-0 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 1981 | 4-0 | 11-4-1 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 1998 | 4-0 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 2009 | 4-0 | 7-9-0 | ||
| Miami Dolphins – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1966 | 0-4 | 3-11-0 | ||
| 1989 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Minnesota Vikings – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1964 | 5-0 | 8-5-1 | ||
| 1965 | 5-0 | 7-7-0 | ||
| 1973 | 5-0 | 12-2-0 | Lost Super Bowl | |
| 1992 | 4-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| 1998 | 4-0 | 15-1-0 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 2001 | 4-0 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Minnesota Vikings – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1961 | 0-5 | 3-11-0 | ||
| 1979 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| New England Patriots – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1978 | 4-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 1981 | 4-0 | 2-14-0 | ||
| 2003 | 4-0 | 14-2-0 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| New England Patriots – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Boston | 1963 | 0-5 | 7-6-1 | Lost AFL Championship |
| Boston | 1964 | 0-5 | 10-3-1 | |
| Boston | 1965 | 0-5 | 4-8-2 | |
| Boston | 1970 | 0-4 | 2-12-0 | |
| 1983 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| 1990 | 0-4 | 1-15-0 | ||
| 2008 | 0-4 | 11-5-0 | ||
| New Orleans Saints – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| None | ||||
| New Orleans Saints – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1971 | 0-6 | 4-8-2 | ||
| New York Giants – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1973 | 6-0 | 2-11-1 | ||
| 1985 | 5-0 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| 1990 | 4-0 | 13-3-0 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| 2006 | 4-0 | 8-8-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| New York Giants – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1944 | 0-3 | 8-1-1 | Lost NFL Championship | |
| 1945 | 0-3 | 3-6-1 | ||
| 1949 | 0-4 | 6-6-0 | ||
| 1969 | 0-5 | 6-8-0 | ||
| 1971 | 0-6 | 4-10-0 | ||
| 2000 | 0-4 | 12-4-0 | Lost Super Bowl | |
| New York Jets – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1966 | 4-0 | 6-6-2 | ||
| 1992 | 5-0 | 4-12-0 | ||
| 1997 | 4-0 | 9-7-0 | ||
| 2002 | 4-0 | 9-7-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| New York Jets – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1962 | 0-4 | 5-9-0 | ||
| 1993 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| Oakland Raiders – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| None | ||||
| Oakland Raiders – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Los Angeles | 1989 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | |
| Philadelphia Eagles – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1945 | 4-0 | 7-3-0 | ||
| 1949 | 4-0-1 | 11-1-0 | NFL Champions | |
| 1961 | 4-0 | 10-4-0 | ||
| 1995 | 4-0 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round | |
| Philadelphia Eagles – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1957 | 0-6 | 4-8-0 | ||
| 1970 | 0-5 | 3-10-1 | ||
| 1976 | 0-6 | 4-10-0 | ||
| Pittsburgh Steelers – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1974 | 6-0 | 10-3-1 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| 1982 | 4-0 | 6-3-0 | Lost Wild Card Round | |
| 1997 | 5-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost AFC Championship | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1948 | 0-4 | 4-8-0 | ||
| 1954 | 0-7 | 5-7-0 | ||
| 1965 | 0-5 | 2-12-0 | ||
| 1987 | 0-4 | 8-7-0 | ||
| 2006 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | ||
| St. Louis Rams – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Los Angeles | 1967 | 6-0 | 11-1-2 | Lost Divisional Round |
| Los Angeles | 1970 | 6-0 | 9-4-1 | |
| Los Angeles | 1976 | 6-0 | 10-3-1 | Lost NFC Championship |
| Los Angeles | 1979 | 4-0 | 9-7-0 | Lost Super Bowl |
| St. Louis Rams – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Los Angeles | 1993 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | |
| Los Angeles | 1994 | 0-4 | 4-12-0 | |
| 2002 | 0-4 | 7-9-0 | ||
| San Diego Chargers – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Los Angeles | 1960 | 4-0 | 10-4-0 | Lost AFL Championship |
| 1961 | 4-0 | 12-2-0 | Lost AFL Championship | |
| 1962 | 4-0 | 4-10-0 | ||
| 2000 | 4-0 | 1-15-0 | ||
| San Diego Chargers – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1999 | 0-5 | 8-8-0 | ||
| San Francisco 49ers – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| AAFC | 1949 | 2-0-1 | 9-3-0 | Lost AAFC Championship |
| 1952 | 5-0 | 7-5-0 | ||
| 1954 | 6-0 | 7-4-1 | ||
| 1991 | 5-0 | 10-6-0 | ||
| 1992 | 5-0 | 14-2-0 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| 2010 | 4-0 | 6-10-0 | ||
| San Francisco 49ers – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1963 | 0-5 | 2-12-0 | ||
| 1966 | 0-5 | 6-6-2 | ||
| 1969 | 0-6 | 4-8-2 | ||
| 1974 | 0-6 | 6-8-0 | ||
| 2004 | 0-4 | 2-14-0 | ||
| Seattle Seahawks – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 2009 | 4-0 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Seattle Seahawks – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| None | ||||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1983 | 4-0 | 2-14-0 | ||
| 1999 | 4-0 | 11-5-0 | Lost NFC Championship | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1986 | 0-4 | 2-14-0 | ||
| 1988 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Tennessee Titans – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Hou. Oilers | 1965 | 5-0 | 4-10-0 | |
| Hou. Oilers | 1986 | 4-0 | 5-11-0 | |
| Hou. Oilers | 1988 | 4-0 | 10-6-0 | Lost Divisional Round |
| Hou. Oilers | 2003 | 4-0 | 12-4-0 | Lost Divisional Round |
| Tennessee Titans – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| Hou. Oilers | 1967 | 0-4 | 9-4-1 | Lost Division Championship |
| Hou. Oilers | 1976 | 0-6 | 5-9-0 | |
| Hou. Oilers | 1983 | 0-4 | 2-14-0 | |
| Hou. Oilers | 1995 | 0-3 | 7-9-0 | |
| Ten. Oilers | 1997 | 0-4 | 8-8-0 | |
| Washington Redskins – Undefeated Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1950 | 5-0 | 3-9-0 | ||
| 1985 | 4-0 | 10-6-0 | ||
| Washington Redskins – Winless Preseasons | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1952 | 0-5 | 4-8-0 | ||
| 1954 | 0-6 | 3-9-0 | ||
| 1960 | 0-6 | 1-9-2 | ||
| 1961 | 0-5 | 1-12-1 | ||
| 1963 | 0-4 | 3-11-0 | ||
| 1982 | 0-4 | 8-1-0 | Super Bowl Champions | |
| 2006 | 0-4 | 5-11-0 | ||
| Defunct Teams | ||||
| Baltimore Colts – Winless Preseason | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| 1950 | 0-7 | 1-11 | ||
| Brooklyn Dodgers – Winless Preseason | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| AAFC | 1946 | 0-2-1 | 3-10-1 | |
| New York Yankees – Undefeated Preseason | ||||
| Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs | |
| AAFC | 1948 | 2-0-1 | 6-8 | |
Undefeated Preseason / Winning Regular Season?
Historically a little under two thirds (66%) of the teams to complete an undefeated preseason, have gone on to complete a winning regular season.
Since the NFL went to the traditional four-game preseason schedule in 1978, 58% of the teams that completed an undefeated preseason, went on to complete a winning regular season. Since 2000, 45% of the teams that completed an undefeated preseason, went on to complete a winning regular season.
Seven teams went from an undefeated preseason to a Super Bowl championship: ’67 Packers, ’69 Chiefs, ’71 Cowboys, ’74 Steelers, ’90 Giants, 00′ Ravens, ’03 Patriots.
Winless Preseason / Losing Regular Season?
Historically 68% of the teams that went winless during the preseason, finished the regular season with a losing record.
Since the NFL went to the traditional four game preseason schedule in 1978, 63% of the teams that went winless during the preseason, finished the regular season with a losing record. Since 2000, 48% of the teams that went winless during the preseason, finished the regular season with a losing record.
The 1982 Washington Redskins are the only team to win a league championship after going winless in the preseason.
The following teams went undefeated in the preseason but subsequently posted more wins during the preseason than the regular season.
| Team | Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec |
| Washington Redskins | 1950 | 5-0 | 3-9-0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1957 | 5-0-1 | 3-9-0 |
| Houston Oilers | 1965 | 5-0 | 4-10-0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1971 | 5-0-1 | 4-10-0 |
| New York Giants | 1973 | 6-0 | 2-11-1 |
| New England Patriots | 1981 | 4-0 | 2-14-0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1983 | 4-0 | 2-14-0 |
| New York Jets | 1992 | 5-0 | 4-12-0 |
| San Diego Chargers | 2000 | 4-0 | 1-15-0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2008 | 4-0 | 0-16-0 |
The following teams went winless in the preseason but subsequently posted more loses during the preseason than the regular season.
| Team | Year | Pre Rec | Reg Rec | Playoffs |
| Boston Patriots | 1964 | 0-5 | 10-3-1 | |
| Cleveland Browns | 1972 | 0-6 | 10-4-0 | Lost Divisional Round |
| Buffalo Bills | 1973 | 0-6 | 9-5-0 | |
| Washington Redskins | 1982 | 0-4 | 8-1-0 ¹ | Super Bowl Champions |
| Buffalo Bills | 1990 | 0-4 | 13-3-0 | Lost Super Bowl |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2005 | 0-5 | 14-2-0 | Lost Divisional Round |
¹ Strike shortened regular season.
The Green Bay Packers have had the most (10) undefeated preseasons. The Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers have had the most undefeated preseasons (4) since 1978.
The Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and Washington Redskins have had the most winless preseasons (7). The Buffalo Bills have had the most winless preseasons (5) since 1978. Listed below is a cumulative breakdown of each teams undefeated/winless preseasons.
Undefeated/Winless in NFL Preseason Play (Cumulative)
Legend: Undefeat (X-0) (# of undefeated preseasons), Winless (0-X) (# of winless preseasons)
| Team | Undefeat (X-0) | Last | Winless (0-X) | Last | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 4 | 2003 | 3 | 2009 | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 2002 | 2 | 2003 | |
| Baltimore Ravens | 4 | 2009 | 1 | 1997 | |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | - | 7 | 2002 | |
| Carolina Panthers | 3 | 2006 | 3 | 2009 | |
| Chicago Bears | 5 | 1994 | 4 | 2010 | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 2006 | 2 | 1999 | |
| Cleveland Browns | 5 | 1986 | 2 | 2008 | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 2006 | 4 | 2000 | |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 2005 | 1 | 1960 | |
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 2008 | 4 | 1989 | |
| Green Bay Packers | 10 | 1999 | 3 | 1987 | |
| Houston Texans | 0 | - | 1 | 2003 | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 5 | 1994 | 4 | 2010 | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 1997 | 0 | - | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 1969 | 4 | 2009 | |
| Miami Dolphins | 5 | 2009 | 2 | 1989 | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 6 | 2001 | 2 | 1979 | |
| New England Patriots | 3 | 2003 | 7 | 2008 | |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | - | 1 | 1971 | |
| New York Giants | 4 | 2006 | 6 | 2000 | |
| New York Jets | 4 | 2002 | 2 | 1993 | |
| Oakland Raiders | 0 | - | 1 | 1989 | |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4 | 1995 | 3 | 1976 | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 1997 | 5 | 2006 | |
| San Diego Chargers | 4 | 2000 | 1 | 1999 | |
| San Francisco 49ers | 6 | 2010 | 5 | 2004 | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 2009 | 0 | - | |
| St. Louis Rams | 4 | 1979 | 3 | 2002 | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 1999 | 2 | 1988 | |
| Tennessee Titans | 4 | 2003 | 5 | 1997 | |
| Washington Redskins | 2 | 1985 | 7 | 2006 |
A few more notes.
- The Green Bay Packers had four undefeated preseasons in a row from 1960-63. Although they did lose to a non-league opponent (College All-Stars) in 1963. The Baltimore Ravens (1998-2000) and the San Diego Chargers (1960-62) had three undefeated preseasons in a row.
- The New England Patriots had three winless preseasons in a row from 1963-65.
- It’s worthwhile to point out that the 2008 Detroit Lions went 4-0 in the preseason, but lost every game in the regular season to become the first team in the NFL to go 0-16.
Reference: Pro-Football-Reference.com, The Pro Football Archives, The Sunshine Forecast. Click here for a list of additional resources.
Jules said
Wow! Really thorough and detailed post! I borrowed the link for my blog. Great job!
Andrew McKillop said
Thanks Jules. I appreciate the nice comments and the link on your blog. I have always enjoyed preseason games, and wanted to do something on it.
Hey, did you know that the preseason is meaningless? | Goal-Line Stand | Blogs | theScore.com said
[...] coincidence grows. An archive of winless and undefeated teams in the preseason was compiled by SportsDelve.com, and since 2000 only 45 percent of the teams that completed an undefeated preseason also had a [...]