In the world of sports, the saying “records are meant to be broken” holds time and time again. Still, some achievements in the NFL seem determined to stand the test of time. For these 15 records, the sheer difficulty of achieving them, rules changes, and advanced playing style may keep them out of reach for a few more decades.
Brett Favre: 297 Consecutive Starts
If football is one of the most physically demanding sports and the NFL is the toughest there is, then Brett Favre is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. His 297-game record is astonishing. For context, Favre started every game for nearly 19 seasons, playing week after week through aches, pains, broken bones, and even when he was going through personal grief.
San Francisco 49ers: 18 Consecutive Wins on the Road From 1988–1990
It’s the NFL, which means winning home games is challenging enough, but maximum points on the road is extremely difficult. However, somehow, the 49ers won a staggering 18 consecutive games away from home. Thanks to Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, the 49ers’ dominated for three seasons. They had key victories, defeating the Chicago Bears in the 1988 Divisional Playoffs.
Vince Lombardi: .900 Postseason Winning Percentage
If you ever wondered why the NFL named the Super Bowl trophy after Vince Lombardi, here’s your answer. Starting with the Green Bay Packers, he won nine out of ten postseason matches and racked up a .900 winning percentage. Then, he led the powerhouse to five NFL championships in seven years with Super Bowls I and II victories.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Most Consecutive Losses (26)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers endured the longest losing streak in modern NFL history. Their historic losing streak was under John McKay and lasted 26 consecutive games from 1976 to 1977. Sadly, he couldn’t replicate his 127-40-8 success at USC as their inaugural head coach. In all losses, they endured 11 shutouts, including a 42-0 wallowing by the Steelers.
Buffalo Bills: 4 Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances Without a Win
At a time when top NFL teams couldn’t make an appearance in the Super Bowl, the Buffalo Bills kept showing up on the big stage. Although they had stars like Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, their excellence remains a bittersweet legacy in NFL history. Unfortunately, their four straight Super Bowl finals from 1990 to 1993 ended without a trophy.
