Unmatched NFL Streaks: How Many Games Can a Team Win in a Row?

Introduction

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The pursuit of a perfect season in the National Football League (NFL) is a perpetual quest for teams across the its history, the NFL has seen numerous teams fail or succeed in various levels of success. Some, like the 1972 Miami Dolphins, have achieved remarkable feats by winning every game, including playoffs and the Super Bowl. But how many games does it take for a team to win all of them? Here, we explore the records and highlight the extraordinary streaks that NFL teams have achieved.

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Defining Winning Streaks in the NFL

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The NFL regular season comprises 17 games, though teams have occasionally played more, including exhibition and post-season games. A team that wins every game in the regular season has a 17-game winning streak. Additionally, winning the postseason (including playoffs and the Super Bowl) would extend this remarkable streak further.

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The 1972 Miami Dolphins: An Unmatched Streak

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The only team in NFL history to achieve a 14-game regular-season winning streak followed by a perfect playoff and Super Bowl season is the 1972 Miami Dolphins. This team did not lose a single game, regular season or postseason, setting a record that remains unbroken to this day. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as the Dolphins achieved it in a highly competitive era of NFL football.

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Other Perfect Teams in NFL History

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In the regular season alone, there have been several undefeated teams, but winning every game in the regular season is rarer. Here are a few examples:

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The 2004 Indianapolis Coltscame closest to the perfect season, going 16–0 in the regular season. However, they fell just short in Super Bowl XLI, losing to the Chicago Bears 29–17.

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The 2006 Chicago Bearsand Chicago Bears (1985 and 1988)also achieved 16–0 records in the regular season.

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Unbeaten Regular Season Records

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In addition to the perfect season, there are three teams that achieved 17-game winning streaks in the regular season, the maximum possible in a standard NFL season:

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The 1972 Miami Dolphinsremain undefeated in the regular season and throughout the playoffs, achieving a 20–0 record.

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The 2004 Indianapolis Coltscame close with a 16–1 record, falling in the AFC Championship game to the New England Patriots 20–17.

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NFL Team Records

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It’s important to note that, while the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ achievement in going 17–0 is unmatched, there are numerous other records in NFL history worth highlighting. For instance:

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The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneersachieved the shortest regular season losing streak with an 0–14 record. This reflects a significant struggle to maintain competitive levels early in their existence.

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There are also teams that have achieved 17-game regular-season winning streaks (Chicago Bears in different seasons), which showcases a high level of consistency and dominance over an entire NFL season.

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Conclusion

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The pursuit of a perfect season in the NFL continues to captivate fans, players, and analysts alike. History has shown that while a 20-game winning streak may seem impossible, records have been set and broken, often in highly competitive NFL seasons continue, the possibility of another team achieving the ultimate mark of 17-game regular-season wins, including playoffs and perhaps even a Super Bowl title, remains an exciting possibility in the never-ending quest for perfection in the NFL.