What Is It About Football on Lake Erie – Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo Have Gone a Combined 68 Years Since an NFL Playoff Win
ESPN asked a question recently about what it's like to be a fan of the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills - each football team has gone at least 20 years since their last playoff win.
Add it up - 26 seasons in Detroit, 22 in Buffalo and 20 in Cleveland and you've got a combined 68 years of frustration. At least the Bills finally they ended their playoff appearance drought at the end of the 2017 season. But against a tough Jacksonville team, they were one and done.
And there's something else in common - each of these cities is on or near the shores of Lake Erie.
It should be noted that the Cincinnati Bengals is also allergic to playoff wins, currently in a 27 season slump.
What is it about Lake Erie? It's not the Great Lakes as a whole. The Bears have had thier moments while the Packers are usually league stalwarts. But it is Lake Erie. Go beyond the NFL teams and look north to the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. The Ti-Cats have one just Grey Cup in the last 28 years.
The Lake Erie NFL teams all have a small rivalry connection. The Lions and Bills once had a strong pre-season Week 4 standing match-up while the Lions and Browns play for a little known Barge trophy.