Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
Encyclopedia
The Pro Football Hall of Game is an annual National Football League
exhibition game
that is held the weekend of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
's induction ceremonies. The game is played at Fawcett Stadium
, which is located next door to the Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio
. It is traditionally the first game in the NFL's preseason, marking the end of the NFL's six-month offseason.
of the year before). From 1971 to 2008, and again in 2010, the opponents were one AFC
team vs. one NFC
team. In 2009, as recognition of the 50th season of the charter members of the American Football League
, the game paired two of the 'original eight' franchises of that league, the Tennessee Titans (dressed as their previous incarnation, the Houston Oilers) and the Buffalo Bills
, whose owner (Ralph Wilson) was inducted into the Hall that year. The two teams were chosen because Wilson and the Oilers'/Titans' owner, Bud Adams
, were the last surviving original AFL owners
still alive and owning their teams.
Because this game and the Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies are scheduled on the weekend before the league's regular four-week Exhibition season begins, both teams end up playing five exhibition games instead of the normal four and (unlike the Canadian Football League
) the league does not remove an exhibition game from another week.
Since 1995
, expansion team
s usually played the Hall of Fame Game as their first ever NFL contest; the teams that have done so thus far are Jacksonville Jaguars
and the Carolina Panthers
matchup in 1995, and the Houston Texans
in 2002. Furthermore, the Cleveland Browns
(who were restocked with an expansion draft
) were featured in the Hall of Fame Game upon their return to the league in 1999, despite the league's official stance that says the Baltimore Ravens
(who did not play in the 1996 Hall of Fame Game, nor any Hall of Fame Game since) are the new team stemming from the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy
. (The difference stems from the fact that although the Ravens began play as a new team in 1996, the league did not expand to 31 teams until 1999 when the Browns resumed operations; thus, the 1999 Browns, despite having existed from 1946 to 1996, were an expansion team that year, but not a new team.)
Prior to the AFL-NFL merger
, the Hall of Fame Game was played in September, at the end of the preseason. In 1970, it was moved to the beginning of the preseason, and until the 2002 realignment (stemming from the admission of the Texans), it was not uncommon to see the game be played in July. Since the aforementioned expansion, the game has always been played in August.
The 2011
Hall of Fame Game was also originally scheduled to feature two teams from the same conference, contrary to established tradition: the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears. Unlike 2009, no official explanation was given for the choice of teams. That game was never played; a labor dispute had disrupted almost all league activity during the 2011 offseason, and the Bears and Rams had set a deadline of July 22 to ratify a resolution to the dispute. The league and its players did not ratify the agreement until July 25, forcing the game to be canceled. It is the only time the game has been canceled because of labor problems, and only the second such preseason game (the 1974 Chicago College All-Star Game being the first). The NFL has not ruled out having the Bears and Rams play in 2012.
Since the game went to an AFC-NFC format, never has the Hall of Fame Game been rematched in that season's Super Bowl. However, the 1971, 1989, and 1996 matchups would be seen in later Super Bowls, and the 2003, 2004, and 2006 games were rematches of past Super Bowls.
-2005
, the game was held on Monday night, televised as part of ABC
's Monday Night Football
package. It had previously been held typically on Saturday afternoons, televised as part of ABC's Wide World of Sports package (still using the MNF crew). In 1998, the game was put in the MNF package, and played on a Saturday night, which served as a test run for the move to Monday night. Starting in 2006
, it was moved to Sunday night, coinciding with the new NBC Sunday Night Football
television package. The 2007 game was telecast on NFL Network
as NBC was intending to televise the China Bowl
game in Beijing, China (a game which was postponed to 2009 and later canceled).
Westwood One
owns national radio rights; it is the only exhibition game to air on a nationwide network. Each team's radio network is also allowed to broadcast the games (albeit usually with fewer affiliates since exhibition games are traditionally much lower priority to non-sports and non-flagship stations).
In 2007 and 2008 the game was broadcast live in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland by Sky Sports
. It was not shown in 2009 because of a dispute between Sky Sports
and the NFL over TV rights. ESPN America (formerly North American Sports Network) broadcasts the game in the rest of Europe.
Fawcett Stadium is within 75 miles of numerous television markets in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania (and is part of the Cleveland market); as such, the NBC affiliates are required to black out
the game in the rare event the game does not sell out. Because Fawcett Stadium only holds 22,375 fans (less than half the NFL's minimum requirements for its stadiums) and the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies bring large numbers of outside fans to Canton, the game has, to date, always sold out (several NFL teams, as well as the Super Bowl, have similarly enjoyed long sellout streaks).
Most appearances- 5: Cleveland Browns (1963, 1967, 1981, 1990, and 1999), Pittsburgh Steelers (1963, 1964, 1983, 1998, and 2007), Washington Redskins (1965, 1975, 1989, 2004, and 2008). Had the 2011 game been played, the Chicago Bears would have joined this list.
Most wins- 5: Washington Redskins (1965, 1975, 1989, 2004, and 2008)
Longest active drought without Hall of Fame Game appearance- 24 seasons: Arizona Cardinals (last appearance - 1986 [as St. Louis Cardinals]); 19 seasons: Detroit Lions (last appearance - 1991); 18 seasons: New York Jets (last appearance - 1992)
Active teams to have never made a Hall of Fame Game appearance- Baltimore Ravens
All three Cardinals appearances have been as the St. Louis Cardinals; they are the NFC team with the longest current absence from the game. The New York Jets, who last appeared in 1992, are the AFC team with the longest current absence.
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
exhibition game
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
that is held the weekend of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
's induction ceremonies. The game is played at Fawcett Stadium
Fawcett Stadium
Fawcett Stadium is a football stadium in Canton, Ohio. The stadium was officially dedicated in 1938. Fawcett Stadium is named for John A. Fawcett. Mr. Fawcett was a former member of the Canton Board of Education and a well-known athlete...
, which is located next door to the Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. It is traditionally the first game in the NFL's preseason, marking the end of the NFL's six-month offseason.
Team selection
The two teams that play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game are selected by the league well in advance of the rest of the schedule (usually about the same time as the new Hall of Fame members are announced and the Super BowlSuper Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
of the year before). From 1971 to 2008, and again in 2010, the opponents were one AFC
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
team vs. one NFC
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
team. In 2009, as recognition of the 50th season of the charter members of the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
, the game paired two of the 'original eight' franchises of that league, the Tennessee Titans (dressed as their previous incarnation, the Houston Oilers) and the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, whose owner (Ralph Wilson) was inducted into the Hall that year. The two teams were chosen because Wilson and the Oilers'/Titans' owner, Bud Adams
Bud Adams
Kenneth Stanley "Bud" Adams, Jr. is the owner of the Tennessee Titans' National Football League franchise. He was instrumental in the founding and establishment of the former American Football League. Adams became a charter AFL owner with the establishment of the Titans franchise, which was...
, were the last surviving original AFL owners
Foolish Club
The Foolish Club was the self-imposed name taken by the owners of the eight original franchises of the American Football League . When Texas millionaires Lamar Hunt and Bud Adams, Jr. were refused entry to the established NFL in 1959, they contacted other businessmen to form an eight-team...
still alive and owning their teams.
Because this game and the Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies are scheduled on the weekend before the league's regular four-week Exhibition season begins, both teams end up playing five exhibition games instead of the normal four and (unlike the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
) the league does not remove an exhibition game from another week.
Since 1995
1995 NFL season
The 1995 NFL season was the 76th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 30 teams with the addition of the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars...
, expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
s usually played the Hall of Fame Game as their first ever NFL contest; the teams that have done so thus far are Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
matchup in 1995, and the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 2002. Furthermore, the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(who were restocked with an expansion draft
1999 NFL Expansion Draft
The Cleveland Browns had spent three years with its operations suspended after Art Modell had taken the Browns' organization and players to Baltimore, Maryland to form the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 1995 NFL season...
) were featured in the Hall of Fame Game upon their return to the league in 1999, despite the league's official stance that says the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
(who did not play in the 1996 Hall of Fame Game, nor any Hall of Fame Game since) are the new team stemming from the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy
Cleveland Browns relocation controversy
The Cleveland Browns relocation controversy was the decision by then Browns owner Art Modell to move the National Football League team from its longtime home of Cleveland, Ohio to Baltimore, Maryland for the 1996 NFL season...
. (The difference stems from the fact that although the Ravens began play as a new team in 1996, the league did not expand to 31 teams until 1999 when the Browns resumed operations; thus, the 1999 Browns, despite having existed from 1946 to 1996, were an expansion team that year, but not a new team.)
Prior to the AFL-NFL merger
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
, the Hall of Fame Game was played in September, at the end of the preseason. In 1970, it was moved to the beginning of the preseason, and until the 2002 realignment (stemming from the admission of the Texans), it was not uncommon to see the game be played in July. Since the aforementioned expansion, the game has always been played in August.
The 2011
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
Hall of Fame Game was also originally scheduled to feature two teams from the same conference, contrary to established tradition: the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears. Unlike 2009, no official explanation was given for the choice of teams. That game was never played; a labor dispute had disrupted almost all league activity during the 2011 offseason, and the Bears and Rams had set a deadline of July 22 to ratify a resolution to the dispute. The league and its players did not ratify the agreement until July 25, forcing the game to be canceled. It is the only time the game has been canceled because of labor problems, and only the second such preseason game (the 1974 Chicago College All-Star Game being the first). The NFL has not ruled out having the Bears and Rams play in 2012.
Since the game went to an AFC-NFC format, never has the Hall of Fame Game been rematched in that season's Super Bowl. However, the 1971, 1989, and 1996 matchups would be seen in later Super Bowls, and the 2003, 2004, and 2006 games were rematches of past Super Bowls.
Television and radio
From 19991999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
-2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
, the game was held on Monday night, televised as part of ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
package. It had previously been held typically on Saturday afternoons, televised as part of ABC's Wide World of Sports package (still using the MNF crew). In 1998, the game was put in the MNF package, and played on a Saturday night, which served as a test run for the move to Monday night. Starting in 2006
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, it was moved to Sunday night, coinciding with the new NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color...
television package. The 2007 game was telecast on NFL Network
NFL Network
NFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation...
as NBC was intending to televise the China Bowl
China Bowl
The China Bowl was the name of a proposed National Football League pre-season exhibition game that had been scheduled to take place in August 2007, but later postponed to 2009 and ultimately canceled, between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at the National Stadium in Beijing...
game in Beijing, China (a game which was postponed to 2009 and later canceled).
Westwood One
NFL on Westwood One
The NFL on Westwood One is the brand name given to weekly National Football League games carried on the radio over the Dial Global Radio Network...
owns national radio rights; it is the only exhibition game to air on a nationwide network. Each team's radio network is also allowed to broadcast the games (albeit usually with fewer affiliates since exhibition games are traditionally much lower priority to non-sports and non-flagship stations).
In 2007 and 2008 the game was broadcast live in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland by Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
. It was not shown in 2009 because of a dispute between Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
and the NFL over TV rights. ESPN America (formerly North American Sports Network) broadcasts the game in the rest of Europe.
Fawcett Stadium is within 75 miles of numerous television markets in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania (and is part of the Cleveland market); as such, the NBC affiliates are required to black out
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
the game in the rare event the game does not sell out. Because Fawcett Stadium only holds 22,375 fans (less than half the NFL's minimum requirements for its stadiums) and the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies bring large numbers of outside fans to Canton, the game has, to date, always sold out (several NFL teams, as well as the Super Bowl, have similarly enjoyed long sellout streaks).
Game history
| Date | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 11, 1962 | New York Giants 1962 New York Giants season The 1962 New York Giants season was the 38th season for the club in the National Football League.-Schedule:-Playoffs:-Standings:-Awards and honors:* Andy Robustelli, Bert Bell Award... 21, St. Louis Cardinals 1962 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 81st season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 71st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 6th in the NL, 17½ games behind the San Francisco Giants... 21 |
|||
| September 8, 1963 | Pittsburgh Steelers 1963 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 1963 Pittsburgh Steelers season consisted of the team winning seven games, and losing four, with three games ending in a tie. As a result, the Steelers finished in fourth place in the NFL Eastern Conference... 16, Cleveland Browns 1963 Cleveland Browns season The 1963 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 14th season with the National Football League.-Exhibition schedule:-Regular season schedule:-Standings:-References:... 7 |
|||
| September 6, 1964 | Baltimore Colts 1964 Baltimore Colts season The 1964 Baltimore Colts season was the 12th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1964 season with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses and finished first in the Western Conference.... 48, Pittsburgh Steelers 1964 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 1964 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the 32nd in franchise history. The team played all of their home games at Pitt Stadium, and won five games, while losing nine, resulting in a fifth-place finish in the NFL Eastern Conference... 17 |
|||
| September 12, 1965 | Washington Redskins 1965 Washington Redskins season The 1965 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 6-8 record from 1964.-Schedule:-Standings:... 20, Detroit Lions 1965 Detroit Lions season The 1965 Detroit Lions season was the 36th season in franchise history. Harry Gilmer replaced George Wilson as the Lions head coach.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-References:***... 3 |
|||
| 1966 | Not held | |||
| August 5, 1967 | Philadelphia Eagles 1967 Philadelphia Eagles season -Offseason:The Eagles held their 1967 training camp for the last time at Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The following year they trained at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, home of the Albright College Lions.-NFL Draft:... 28, Cleveland Browns 1967 Cleveland Browns season The 1967 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 18th season with the National Football League.-NFL Draft:The following were selected in the 1967 NFL Draft.-Exhibition schedule:-Schedule:-Playoffs:-Standings:-Playoffs:-References:... 13 |
|||
| August 3, 1968 | Chicago Bears 1968 Chicago Bears season The 1968 Chicago Bears season was their 49th regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 7-7 record, earning them another second place finish in the Central Division within the NFL's Western Conference behind the Minnesota Vikings.-Offseason:On May 27, 1968, George... 30, Dallas Cowboys 1968 Dallas Cowboys season The 1968 Dallas Cowboys season was their ninth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 9–5, winning twelve games. They qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.-Schedule:-Playoffs:-Standings:-Roster:... 24 |
|||
| September 13, 1969 | Green Bay Packers 1969 Green Bay Packers season The 1969 Green Bay Packers season was their 49th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 8-6 record under coach Phil Bengston, earning them a 3rd place finish in the NFC Central division.- The Glory Was Gone :... 38, Atlanta Falcons 1969 Atlanta Falcons season The 1969 Atlanta Falcons season was their 4th in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 2-12, winning six games. They failed to reach the playoffs for the fourth straight season.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... 24 |
|||
| August 8, 1970 | New Orleans Saints 1970 New Orleans Saints season The 1970 New Orleans Saints season was the team's fourth as a member of the National Football League. They failed to improve on their previous season's output of 5-9, winning only two games... 14, Minnesota Vikings 1970 Minnesota Vikings season 1970 was the tenth year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 51st regular season of the National Football League. It was also the first season of play following the AFL-NFL merger, as the Vikings played in the National Football Conference... 13 |
|||
| July 31, 1971 | Los Angeles Rams 1971 Los Angeles Rams season The 1971 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 34th year with the National Football League and the 26th season in Los Angeles.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... 17, Houston Oilers 1971 Houston Oilers season The 1971 Houston Oilers season was the 12th season the team was with the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 3–10–1, winning four games. They missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:... 6 |
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| July 29, 1972 | Kansas City Chiefs 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season The 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season began with the Chiefs moving into the newly constructed Arrowhead Stadium and ended with a 8–6 record and second place finish in the AFC West.The Chiefs introduced the newly completed Arrowhead Stadium to the general public... 23, New York Giants 1972 New York Giants season The 1972 New York Giants season was the 48th season for the club in the National Football League. The Giants had an 8–6 record and finished in third place in the National Football Conference East Division, three games behind the Washington Redskins.-Schedule:... 17 |
|||
| July 28, 1973 | San Francisco 49ers 1973 San Francisco 49ers season The 1973 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 24th in the National Football League. They began the season hoping to improve on their previous years' output of 8-5-1, and looking to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. However, the team finished 5-9 and failed to qualify for the... 20, New England Patriots 1973 New England Patriots season The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1973 season with a record of five wins and nine losses, and finished third in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Schedule:- Standings :-Roster:... 7 |
|||
| July 27, 1974 | St. Louis Cardinals 1974 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 93rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 83rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 86-75 during the season and finished second in the National League East, a game and-a-half behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Offseason:* October 26, 1973:... 21, Buffalo Bills 1974 Buffalo Bills season The 1974 Buffalo Bills season was the 15th season for the club in pro football and fifth in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Playoffs:-External Links:**-References:* * *... 13 |
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| August 2, 1975 | Washington Redskins 1975 Washington Redskins season The 1975 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 10-4 record from 1974.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... 17, Cincinnati Bengals 1975 Cincinnati Bengals season The 1975 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's eighth year in professional football and its sixth with the National Football League.The Bengals opened with six straight wins and went on to post an 11–3 record, their best regular-season mark. The Bengals qualified as the AFC wild card team for... 9 |
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| July 24, 1976 | Denver Broncos 1976 Denver Broncos season The 1976 Denver Broncos season was the team's 17th year in professional football and its seventh with the National Football League. The team finished the season with a winning record for the third time in the last four seasons. It was John Ralston's final season as the team's head... 10, Detroit Lions 1976 Detroit Lions season The 1976 Detroit Lions season was the 47th season in franchise history. After the first four games of the season, Rick Forzano was released and replaced by Tommy Hudspeth.-NFL Draft:-Regular season:... 7 |
|||
| July 30, 1977 | Chicago Bears 1977 Chicago Bears season The 1977 Chicago Bears season was their 58th regular season and 13th postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 9-5 record earning them a wild card spot against the Dallas Cowboys, who eventually beat the Bears en route to a Super Bowl victory.Walter Payton was the star... 20, New York Jets 1977 New York Jets season The 1977 New York Jets season was the 18th season for the team and the 8th in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 3–11 record from 1976 under new head coach Walt Michaels. For the third straight season, the Jets finished with a record of... 6 |
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| July 29, 1978 | Philadelphia Eagles 1978 Philadelphia Eagles season The 1978 Philadelphia Eagles season resulted in an appearance in the postseason for the first time in eighteen years, which ended the longest postseason drought in the franchise’s history and one of the longest in the history of the National Football League.... 17, Miami Dolphins 1978 Miami Dolphins season -NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Roster:-AFC Wildcard Playoff : vs. Houston Oilers:-Notes and references:**... 3 |
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| July 28, 1979 | Oakland Raiders 1979 Oakland Raiders season The 1979 Oakland Raiders season was their 10th in the league, and 20th overall. They matched their previous season's output of 9–7.-Season:Oakland started off 1–3, rallied to be 6–4, then following an upset lost to the Kansas City chiefs and were at 6–6... 20, Dallas Cowboys 1979 Dallas Cowboys season The 1979 Dallas Cowboys season was their 20th in the league. The team was unable to improve on their previous output of 12–4, winning only eleven games... 13 |
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| August 2, 1980 | Tie 0-0; Green Bay Packers 1980 Green Bay Packers season The 1980 Green Bay Packers season was their 60th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 5–10–1 record under coach Bart Starr, earning them a fourth-place finish in the NFC Central division.-NFL Draft :... vs. San Diego Chargers 1980 San Diego Chargers season The 1980 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 12–4 record in 1979. They won their first playoff game in 17 years... |
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| August 1, 1981 | Cleveland Browns 1981 Cleveland Browns season The 1981 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 32nd season with the National Football League.-NFL Draft:The following were selected in the 1981 NFL Draft.-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-References:... 24, Atlanta Falcons 1981 Atlanta Falcons season -NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Awards and records:*Steve Bartkowski, Falcons Game Record, Most Passing Yards in One Game, 416 yards... 10 |
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| August 7, 1982 | Minnesota Vikings 1982 Minnesota Vikings season 1982 was the 22nd year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. It was also Minnesota's first season of play in the newly constructed Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, and the Vikings did not disappoint by starting their new stadium's history... 30, Baltimore Colts 1982 Baltimore Colts season The 1982 Baltimore Colts season was the 30th season for the team in the National Football League, and the Colts' penultimate season in Baltimore. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1982 season with a record of 0 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie. They finished fifth in the AFC East... 14 |
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| July 30, 1983 | Pittsburgh Steelers 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season - Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. Denver Broncos :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 1:00 pm EDT* Game weather:* Game attendance: 58,233* Referee: Jerry Seeman... 27, New Orleans Saints 1983 New Orleans Saints season The 1983 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 17th as a member of the National Football League. They improved on their previous season's output of 4-5, winning eight games. Despite the improvement, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the seventeenth consecutive... 14 |
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| July 28, 1984 | Seattle Seahawks 1984 Seattle Seahawks season The 1984 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's ninth season with the National Football League.-1984 NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-Playoffs:-External links:* *... 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1984 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 1984 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team making efforts to address the problems faced in the disastrous 1983 season. For the first time, the team renegotiated the contracts of players in their option years, which kept discontent over salaries to a minimum. An assistant coach was... 0 |
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| August 3, 1985 | New York Giants 1985 New York Giants season The 1985 New York Giants season was the 61st season for the club in the National Football League. At the time, the team set a record for most rushing yards in one season by a Giants team.-Regular season:... 21, Houston Oilers 1985 Houston Oilers season The 1985 Houston Oilers season was the 26th season the team was with the league. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 3–13, winning five games, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:... 20 |
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| August 2, 1986 | New England Patriots 1986 New England Patriots season The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1986 season with a record of eleven wins and five losses, and finished first in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:... 21, St. Louis Cardinals 1986 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1986 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 105th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 95th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 79-82 during the season and finished 3rd in the National League East division.-Offseason:... 16 |
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| August 8, 1987 | San Francisco 49ers 1987 San Francisco 49ers season The 1987 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 38th year with the National Football League. In the offseason, the 49ers acquired Steve Young in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... 20, Kansas City Chiefs 1987 Kansas City Chiefs season The 1987 Kansas City Chiefs season ended with an 4–11 record, and last place finish in the AFC West.One of the most tumultuous weeks in franchise history took place following the club’s playoff loss against the Jets in the playoffs... 7 |
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| July 30, 1988 | Cincinnati Bengals 1988 Cincinnati Bengals season The 1988 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's 21st year in professional football and its 19th with the National Football League.The Bengals were a team on the rebound. During the 1987 strike-shortened season, quarterback Boomer Esiason and head coach Sam Wyche had openly feuded, and the team... 14, Los Angeles Rams 1988 Los Angeles Rams season The 1988 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 51st year with the National Football League and the 43rd season in Los Angeles.-Schedule:-Playoffs:-Awards and records:*Greg Bell, NFL Leader, Touchdowns, 18 TD's... 7 |
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| August 5, 1989 | Washington Redskins 1989 Washington Redskins season The 1989 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 7-9 record from 1988. Despite a 10-6 record, they finished third in the NFC East and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Week 11 game with Dallas was that team's only win of the season.-Regular season:In a week 14... 31, Buffalo Bills 1989 Buffalo Bills season The 1989 Buffalo Bills season was the 30th season for the team and the 20th season in the National Football League. The Bills finished in first place in the AFC East and finished the National Football League's 1989 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses.... 6 |
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| August 4, 1990 | Chicago Bears 1990 Chicago Bears season The 1990 Chicago Bears season was their 71st regular season and 20th postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 11–5 record, and lost in the NFC Divisional playoffs to the New York Giants.-NFL Draft:-Roster:-Schedule:... 13, Cleveland Browns 1990 Cleveland Browns season The 1990 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 41st season with the National Football League.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... 0 |
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| July 27, 1991 | Detroit Lions 1991 Detroit Lions season The 1991 season for the Detroit Lions saw the team finish 12-4, win the NFC Central Division, and appear in the playoffs for the first time since 1983. It stands as the team's best season since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970... 14, Denver Broncos 1991 Denver Broncos season -Schedule:-AFC Championship Game:Buffalo relied on missed field goals by Denver and some key plays from their defense to narrowly defeat the Broncos in a tough defensive struggle. Although the first half was scoreless, the Broncos advanced into Buffalo territory on all five of their possessions in... 3 |
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| August 1, 1992 | New York Jets 1992 New York Jets season The 1992 New York Jets season was the 33rd season for the team and the 23rd in the National Football League. The Jets were looking to improve on their 8–8 record under head coach Bruce Coslet in 1991 and also make a second consecutive trip to the AFC Playoffs... 41, Philadelphia Eagles 1992 Philadelphia Eagles season The 1992 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 60th in the league. The team improved upon their previous output of 10–6, winning eleven games and qualifying for the playoffs.-Offseason:... 14 |
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| July 31, 1993 | Los Angeles Raiders 1993 Los Angeles Raiders season The 1993 Los Angeles Raiders season was the club’s 34th season in the NFL.-Offseason:During the offseason the Raiders signed quarterback Jeff Hostetler from the New York Giants to lead the offense. Joe Kelly a former first round pick of the Bengals was signed to fill the middle lineback slot... 19, Green Bay Packers 1993 Green Bay Packers season The 1993 Green Bay Packers season resulted in a 9-7 record and the Packers' first playoff berth in 21 years . The record also marked the first back-to-back winning season since the Packers 1967 season... 3 |
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| July 30, 1994 | Atlanta Falcons 1995 Atlanta Falcons season The Atlanta Falcons season was the team's 30th season in the National Football League. The Falcons qualified for the postseason.-Schedule:-Playoffs:- References :* *... 21, San Diego Chargers 1994 San Diego Chargers season -Schedule:-Playoffs:-References:... 7 |
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| July 29, 1995 | Carolina Panthers 1995 Carolina Panthers season -Preseason:-Regular season:-Records:* Most victories by an expansion team * First expansion team to have a winning record at home * First expansion team to have a four game winning streak... 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the team's first year in the National Football League.-Expansion Draft: -Staff:-Roster:-Schedule:-Schedule:-References:* *... 14 |
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| July 27, 1996 | Indianapolis Colts 1996 Indianapolis Colts season The 1996 Indianapolis Colts season was the 44th season for the team in the National Football League and 13th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1996 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses, and finished third in the AFC East division.On October 13,... 10, New Orleans Saints 1996 New Orleans Saints season The 1996 New Orleans Saints season was the team's 30th as a member of the National Football League. They were unable to match their previous season's output of 7–9, winning only three games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year.-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... 3 |
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| July 26, 1997 | Minnesota Vikings 1997 Minnesota Vikings season 1997 was the 37th year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Vikings finished with a record of nine wins and seven losses. Their record was good enough to qualify for a wild card berth... 28, Seattle Seahawks 1997 Seattle Seahawks season The 1997 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 22nd season with the National Football League. The team traded quarterback Rick Mirer and signed Minnesota Vikings/Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon to be John Frieze's backup... 26 |
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| August 1, 1998 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1998 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 1998 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was seen as a disappointment following their breakthrough 1997 season. It was their first season in Raymond James Stadium. They were the only team to beat the Minnesota Vikings during the regular season. In week 16 they recorded the biggest road win in their... 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 1998 season marked the first time since 1991 that the Steelers failed to reach the playoffs. Pittsburgh finished 7–9 after starting the season 5–2, losing their last five games to knock themselves out of the playoffs... 6 |
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| August 9, 1999 | Cleveland Browns 1999 Cleveland Browns season The 1999 Cleveland Browns season marked the team's return to the National Football League after a three-year absence. The 1999 season also marked the return of football to the city of Cleveland for the first time since the 1995 season.-Season information:... 20, Dallas Cowboys 1999 Dallas Cowboys season -Regular season:The season would begin at Washington with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the hated division rival Washington Redskins. After trailing by three touchdowns in the second half, free agent acquisition Rocket Ismail would pay immediate dividends for the team by hauling in the... 17, OT |
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| July 31, 2000 | New England Patriots 2000 New England Patriots season The 2000 New England Patriots season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League and 41st season overall. They finished with a 5–11 record and in last place in the division.... 20, San Francisco 49ers 2000 San Francisco 49ers season The 2000 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 51st year with the National Football League. Jerry Rice entered the 2000 season as the oldest player in the league at the Wide Receiver position.-Schedule:-Awards and records:... 0 |
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| August 6, 2001 | St. Louis Rams 2001 St. Louis Rams season The 2001 St. Louis Rams season was the 64th season for the team in the National Football League and seventh season in St. Louis. The Rams set a franchise record for wins in a season , while also going a perfect 8-0 on the road. Quarterback Kurt Warner would go on to win his second league M.V.P.... 17, Miami Dolphins 2001 Miami Dolphins season -NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:... 10 |
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| August 5, 2002 | New York Giants 2002 New York Giants season The 2002 New York Giants season was the team's 78th season in the National Football League. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9, winning ten games and making a playoff appearance. They ended the season on a four game winning streak.... 34, Houston Texans 2002 Houston Texans season The 2002 Houston Texans season was the franchise's first-ever season and the city of Houston's first NFL season since the Houston Oilers left in 1997 to move to Tennessee to become the Titans.... 17 |
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| August 4, 2003 | Kansas City Chiefs 2003 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2003 Kansas City Chiefs season resulted in a 13–3 record, beginning with a nine-game winning streak—the franchise’s best start in their 40-year history. The Chiefs won the AFC West and clinched the second seed in the playoffs... 9, Green Bay Packers 2003 Green Bay Packers season The 2003 Green Bay Packers season finished with an overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs, after the Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round in overtime off an interception return for a touchdown by Al Harris... 0 |
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| August 9, 2004 | Washington Redskins 2004 Washington Redskins season The 2004 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 5-11 record from 2003. It was also the season of Joe Gibbs's return as Head Coach after coming out of retirement.-Schedule:-Standings:... 20, Denver Broncos 2004 Denver Broncos season The 2004 Denver Broncos season was the team's 45th year in professional football and its 35th with the National Football League.-Staff:-Schedule:-Playoffs:-References:* *... 17 |
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| August 8, 2005 | Chicago Bears 2005 Chicago Bears season -Roster:-Schedule:-Standings:W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against-Week 1: at Washington Redskins:-Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions:-Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals:-Week 5: at Cleveland Browns:... 27, Miami Dolphins 2005 Miami Dolphins season -Schedule:-References:... 24 |
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| August 6, 2006 | Oakland Raiders 2006 Oakland Raiders season The 2006 Oakland Raiders season, which was supposed to improve on a lackluster 4–12 record from 2005, ended with the Raiders suffering through a 2–14 campaign, the worst record in the 2006 NFL season, the worst season since the club went 1–13 in 1962 and their worst since the National Football... 16, Philadelphia Eagles 2006 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2006 Philadelphia Eagles season ended in the Eagles finishing 10–6, reclaiming the NFC East, and winning a playoff game at home. The season ended in a Divisional Round playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints, but was seen as a success in the face of the adversity of losing starting quarterback... 10 |
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| August 5, 2007 | Pittsburgh Steelers 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the 75th season of the Steelers franchise. The season saw the team improve upon their 8–8 record from 2006, finish with a record of 10–6, and win the AFC North Division... 20, New Orleans Saints 2007 New Orleans Saints season -Game summary:The 2007 New Orleans Saints began their regular season in the annual Thursday night Kickoff game against the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, New Orleans trailed early as Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning completed a 27-yard TD pass to WR Marvin... 7 |
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| August 3, 2008 | Washington Redskins 2008 Washington Redskins season The 2008 Washington Redskins season was the 76th season for the team in the National Football League. They failed to improve upon their 9-7 record from 2007... 30, Indianapolis Colts 2008 Indianapolis Colts season The 2008 Indianapolis Colts season was the 56th season for the team in the National Football League and the 25th in Indianapolis. It was the first season since 2002 that the Colts did not win the AFC South title. However, after a 3–4 start on the season Peyton Manning led the Colts to a nine-game... 16 |
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| August 9, 2009 | Tennessee Titans 2009 Tennessee Titans season The 2009 Tennessee Titans season is the 50th season for the original American Football League team, their 40th in the NFL, and 13th in Tennessee. The Titans aimed to equal or improve on their 2008 NFL best 13–3 record; however, they lost the first 6 games of that season... 21, Buffalo Bills 2009 Buffalo Bills season The 2009 Buffalo Bills season was the 50th Professional Football season for the original American Football League team, and its 40th in the NFL... 18 |
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| August 8, 2010 | Dallas Cowboys 2010 Dallas Cowboys season The 2010 Dallas Cowboys season is the 51st season for the team in the National Football League, and the second season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium... 16, Cincinnati Bengals 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League , and their 43rd overall. The Bengals looked to improve on their 10–6 record in 2009, during which they swept the AFC North for the first time in team history and made the playoffs as division... 7 |
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| August 7, 2011 | Canceled due to 2011 NFL lockout 2011 NFL lockout The 2011 National Football League lockout was a lockout that lasted from March 11 to July 25. It occurred primarily during the offseason for 18 weeks and 4 days... |
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Standings
| Team | W | L | T | Pct. | Last appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Redskins | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2008 |
| Chicago Bears | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2005 |
| Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 2006 |
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1995 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 2003 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 1997 |
| New England Patriots | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 2000 |
| Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 2001 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 2000 |
| New York Giants | 2 | 1 | 1 | .625 | 2002 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 1999 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 2007 |
| Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 2008 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 2006 |
| St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 1 | 1 | .500 | 1986 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 1992 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 1997 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 1998 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 2 | 1 | .375 | 2003 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 2010 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 1994 |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 2004 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 1991 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2010 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2007 |
| San Diego Chargers | 0 | 1 | 1 | .250 | 1994 |
| Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans | 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 2009 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 2002 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 1995 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 2009 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 2005 |
Most appearances- 5: Cleveland Browns (1963, 1967, 1981, 1990, and 1999), Pittsburgh Steelers (1963, 1964, 1983, 1998, and 2007), Washington Redskins (1965, 1975, 1989, 2004, and 2008). Had the 2011 game been played, the Chicago Bears would have joined this list.
Most wins- 5: Washington Redskins (1965, 1975, 1989, 2004, and 2008)
Longest active drought without Hall of Fame Game appearance- 24 seasons: Arizona Cardinals (last appearance - 1986 [as St. Louis Cardinals]); 19 seasons: Detroit Lions (last appearance - 1991); 18 seasons: New York Jets (last appearance - 1992)
Active teams to have never made a Hall of Fame Game appearance- Baltimore Ravens
All three Cardinals appearances have been as the St. Louis Cardinals; they are the NFC team with the longest current absence from the game. The New York Jets, who last appeared in 1992, are the AFC team with the longest current absence.