Frozen: when the NFL belt sat out the playoffs

42 seasons the belt holder missed the playoffs and carried the belt into the next season.

The belt only moves when its holder plays. When the holder's season ends early, the belt freezes: the champions get crowned in the playoffs, and the belt waits for next season. It has happened 42 times in NFL belt history.

Every frozen season, newest first

1. 2025: Atlanta Falcons sat out the playoffs with the belt while Seattle Seahawks won the title.
2. 2024: Seattle Seahawks sat out the playoffs with the belt while Philadelphia Eagles won the title.
3. 2021: Cleveland Browns sat out the playoffs with the belt while Los Angeles Rams won the title.
4. 2016: Indianapolis Colts sat out the playoffs with the belt while New England Patriots won the title.
5. 2011: San Diego Chargers sat out the playoffs with the belt while New York Giants won the title.
6. 2009: Pittsburgh Steelers sat out the playoffs with the belt while New Orleans Saints won the title.
7. 2006: St. Louis Rams sat out the playoffs with the belt while Indianapolis Colts won the title.
8. 2005: Miami Dolphins sat out the playoffs with the belt while Pittsburgh Steelers won the title.
9. 2002: Minnesota Vikings sat out the playoffs with the belt while Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the title.
10. 2000: Atlanta Falcons sat out the playoffs with the belt while Baltimore Ravens won the title.
11. 1998: New York Giants sat out the playoffs with the belt while Denver Broncos won the title.
12. 1996: Cincinnati Bengals sat out the playoffs with the belt while Green Bay Packers won the title.
13. 1995: Washington Redskins sat out the playoffs with the belt while Dallas Cowboys won the title.
14. 1989: San Diego Chargers sat out the playoffs with the belt while San Francisco 49ers won the title.
15. 1984: Kansas City Chiefs sat out the playoffs with the belt while San Francisco 49ers won the title.
16. 1979: Seattle Seahawks sat out the playoffs with the belt while Pittsburgh Steelers won the title.
17. 1978: San Diego Chargers sat out the playoffs with the belt while Pittsburgh Steelers won the title.
18. 1976: Kansas City Chiefs sat out the playoffs with the belt while Oakland Raiders won the title.
19. 1971: New England Patriots sat out the playoffs with the belt while Dallas Cowboys won the title.
20. 1969: Atlanta Falcons sat out the playoffs with the belt while Kansas City Chiefs won the title.
21. 1968: St. Louis Cardinals sat out the playoffs with the belt while New York Jets won the title.
22. 1967: Philadelphia Eagles sat out the playoffs with the belt while Green Bay Packers won the title.
23. 1965: Minnesota Vikings sat out the playoffs with the belt while Green Bay Packers won the title.
24. 1964: Detroit Lions sat out the playoffs with the belt while Cleveland Browns won the title.
25. 1962: Chicago Bears sat out the playoffs with the belt while Green Bay Packers won the title.
26. 1961: Baltimore Colts sat out the playoffs with the belt while Green Bay Packers won the title.
27. 1959: Chicago Bears sat out the playoffs with the belt while Baltimore Colts won the title.
28. 1958: Pittsburgh Steelers sat out the playoffs with the belt while Baltimore Colts won the title.
29. 1956: Chicago Cardinals sat out the playoffs with the belt while New York Giants won the title.
30. 1955: Chicago Bears sat out the playoffs with the belt while Cleveland Browns won the title.

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