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With a 13-3 record this season, the Atlanta Falcons are the number one seed in the NFC. It is the third time that the Falcons are the NFC’s number one seed; they were the top seed in 1980 and 2010.

It is also the first time in franchise history that the Falcons made the playoffs in three straight seasons. Going into this season, there were six franchises that had never made the playoffs in three straight seasons (more on that in a minute).

This year’s 12 playoff teams consist of eight teams that played in the playoffs last year and four that did not.

Here’s a look at this year’s 12 playoff teams, their recent playoff appearance history and the last time they made the NFL playoffs in three straight years.

This year’s playoff repeaters:
Baltimore: This is their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. This is the longest current streak.
Green Bay: This is their fourth straight playoff appearance.
New England: Fourth straight playoff appearance.
Atlanta: First time they made the playoffs in three straight seasons.
Cincinnati: Second consecutive playoff appearance. They have never made the playoffs in three straight years. Could 2014 be the first time?
Denver: Second consecutive playoff appearance. The last time they made the playoffs in three straight years was 2003-05.
Houston: Second straight year in playoffs. They have never made the playoffs in three straight years. Will it happen in 2014?
San Francisco: Second straight year in the playoffs. Last time they made the playoffs in three straight seasons was 1996-98.

This year’s playoff teams that did not make playoffs last season:
Indianapolis: This is their first playoff since after the 2010 season. The last time they made the playoffs in three straight years was 2008-10.
Minnesota: First playoff appearance since 2009. They have not made the playoffs in three straight years since 1998-2000.
Seattle: First playoff appearance since 2010. Last time they made the playoffs in three straight seasons was 2005-07.
Washington: First playoff appearance since 2007. The last time they made the playoffs in three straight years was 1990-92.

As mentioned above, there are now five franchises which have never made the NFL playoffs in three consecutive years. Those franchises are: Arizona, Carolina, Cincinnati, Houston and the New York Jets.

Here’s a look at the remaining 17 franchises and the last time each of them made the NFL playoffs in three consecutive seasons (starting with the team that has had the longest wait):

Team, last time they made playoffs in three straight years
Chicago: 1986-88
Cleveland: 1987-89
Buffalo: 1991-93
Tennessee: 1991-93
Detroit: 1993-95
Kansas City: 1993-95
Dallas: 1994-96
Pittsburgh: 1995-97
Jacksonville: 1997-99
Miami: 1999-2001
St. Louis: 1999-2001
Oakland: 2000-02
Tampa Bay: 2000-02
San Diego: 2007-09
Philadelphia: 2008-10
New Orleans: 2009-11
N.Y. Giants: 2009-11

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