From Bad to Rock-Bottom: The NFL’s 10 Worst Teams Ever
While the NFL has produced some of the most dominant teams in sports history, it has also seen seasons of complete collapse and misery. These are the 10 worst teams of the Super Bowl era, ranked from bad to absolute rock-bottom.
10. 1981 Baltimore Colts
The 1981 Baltimore Colts were an organizational mess. They allowed a then-record 533 points and posted a staggering -274 point differential, the second-worst in NFL history. Internal conflicts between key players like Curtis Dickey and Bert Jones only added to the dysfunction.
9. 2001 Carolina Panthers
Despite being led by two-time Super Bowl champion coach George Seifert, the Panthers lost 15 straight games after an opening-week win. Quarterback instability plagued the offense, and the defense couldn’t keep them in games. It marked an unfortunate end to Seifert’s otherwise stellar coaching career.
8. 1982 Baltimore Colts
In a strike-shortened season, the Colts went winless at 0-8-1. High draft picks, including quarterback Art Schlichter, failed to deliver, with off-field issues compounding the problems. Even legendary college coach Frank Kush couldn’t salvage the season.
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7. 1991 Indianapolis Colts
Injuries decimated the offense, and an aging Eric Dickerson was far from his prime. The team averaged just 8.9 points per game and was shut down week after week. Only a narrow one-point win over the Jets kept them from going 0-16.
6. 1973 Houston Oilers
The Oilers were outscored by more than 15 points per game and allowed 447 points in just 14 games, the most ever in a season of that length. Coming off a one-win season in 1972, they showed no signs of improvement. It was a low point in the early years of the franchise.
5. 1990 New England Patriots
Before becoming the league’s most feared dynasty, the Patriots were one of its worst teams. The 1990 squad struggled in every phase, suffering long scoring droughts and blowout losses. Their offensive woes made them the laughingstock of the AFC East.
4. 2017 Cleveland Browns
The Browns became the second team ever to finish 0-16, following a 1-15 campaign the year before. Rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer had a brutal season, and the secondary couldn’t stop opposing passing attacks. Even future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas couldn’t save them from infamy.
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3. 2009 St. Louis Rams
The Rams averaged just 10.9 points per game and scored only 12 passing touchdowns all season. Rookie head coach Steve Spagnuolo endured a nightmare debut, winning only one game — against the equally terrible Lions. Their offensive struggles were among the worst of the modern era.
2. 2008 Detroit Lions
The first team in NFL history to go 0-16, the Lions were outmatched in nearly every game. Their defense gave up 32.3 points per game, while the offense was inconsistent and turnover-prone. Even superstar receiver Calvin Johnson couldn’t prevent them from making unwanted history.
1. 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In their inaugural season, the Buccaneers went 0-14 and were outscored by more than 20 points per game. With a roster lacking talent from a flawed expansion draft and an owner unwilling to spend, the team never had a chance. They were shut out five times and remain the benchmark for NFL futility.
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