The NFL regular season is a long, grueling affair that has become the bane of many football fans. Sometimes games are boring or players get injured (RIP Jerry Rice). But these 25 seasons made every fan’s heart sink and their stomach drop to the bottom of their shoes.
The “nfl technology advancements” is a blog post that lists 25 NFL seasons that made football fans cry themselves to sleep.
NFL fans experience extreme highs and lows. Joe Montana and Steve Young, two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, led the San Francisco 49ers to near obscurity in the 2000s. Meanwhile, teams like the Jaguars and Jets have often made their supporters weep in recent years.
As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the 25 worst-performing NFL clubs in history. Each of these clubs had a dismal losing record. Some of them also have bizarre backstories that have only served to make their seasons worse. All their followers could do in the end was sit and watch through their fingers. Yardbarker has compiled a list for you.
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San Diego Chargers (#25) (2000)
Many people believed Ryan Leaf was a better prospect than Peyton Manning for whatever reason. That sentence was also not a joke. In 1997, the Chargers picked him with the second overall choice, and he went on to become one of the biggest busts in NFL history. In 2000, he was so terrible that the Chargers benched him in favor of Jim Harbaugh. Keep in mind that they had to first assemble all of the veteran’s components (via Fansided).
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San Diego had a historically terrible season in 2000, going 1-15. Their lone win came in Week 13 against the Chiefs, but it was an exception. They concluded the season with the poorest record in the NFL. After Leaf’s departure, the Chargers selected Drew Brees as their quarterback the next summer. However, before moving to New Orleans, he struggled in California. Then, in 2004, their dismal track record frightened off Eli Manning, prompting them to sign Philip Rivers.
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Buffalo Bills (#24) (1971)
Buffalo fans have had their share of bad luck throughout the years. There was a four-year playoff drought and four Super Bowl losses. 1971, on the other hand, was the worst year in their history. They finished 1-13, which was a bad start for the franchise. After the Bills traded Ron McDole, head coach John Rauch quit in protest. When the defensive lineman signed with the Redskins, he caused a schism.
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After everything was said and done, the Bills had the poorest offensive and defensive records in the NFL (via Buffalo News). They still had some good players on the roster, like as O.J. Simpson, but their interim coach was in over his head. The next season, Lou Saban took over as coach and helped the squad get back on track. However, this was a trying time for everyone concerned.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (23rd) (2020)
In 2020, the Jaguars had the poorest record in the NFL. In Doug Marrone’s last season in command, they finished 1-15, making them a laughingstock. It was became clear that tanking for Trevor Lawrence was a losing proposition. The New York Jets were equally dreadful, but they managed to scrape out an additional victory. Meanwhile, the Jaguars had their worst season in the brief history of the club (via News4Jax).
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In the end, the Jaguars’ losing skid lasted 20 games into the next season. Finally, in 2021, they faced the Dolphins in London, and they were victorious. However, this was a bad squad. For the first time in franchise history, Jacksonville was awarded the first overall draft selection. They quickly selected Lawrence, who was well regarded, but they were unable to capitalize.
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San Francisco 49ers (#22) (2004)
Dennis Erickson’s name still makes Niners fans weep. He was in command of the team for the second of his two years. He was given his marching orders at the conclusion of the year, which was fortunate for their followers. Erickson was terrible, but it wasn’t completely his fault that they had such a bad season. He was in charge of the team’s performance on the field, although the roster may have been better.
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The Niners eventually broke apart after years of financial mismanagement. Jeff Garcia, Terrell Owens, and Garrison Hearst were among the players who left before 2004. They attempted to replace them via the draft but were unsuccessful. The damage was done, and the Niners did not have another winning season until 2011. (via Bleacher Report).
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New York Jets (21st) (1996)
The Jets are no strangers to losing seasons. They have had a bad run in recent years. Fans are now wailing about how awful Adam Gase was. Their capacity to tank, on the other hand, is a part of their identity. They were going downhill like a vehicle without brakes in the mid-’90s. Rich Kotite was one of the worst NFL coaches ever. Gang Green aimed to improve on their 3-13 season in 1995.
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However, things quickly deteriorated. They had a dreadful 1-15 record in 1996. Before the Jets shattered his spirit, Neil O’Donnell had lost all six of his starts that season. With the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was used to a winning attitude. O’Donnell attempted to alter the culture in New Jersey many times, but the squad failed each time. Everyone involved had a difficult time at this time (via ESPN).
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Miami Dolphins (20th) (2019)
With a 5-10 record, this Miami club has one of the best records on the list. However, this does not convey the whole picture of how their followers felt throughout a difficult year. To begin, they traded Ryan Tannehill and replaced him with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick on a short-term basis. ‘Fitz’ had the regular highs and lows that characterize a career. This season, though, is significant for another reason.
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Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama was expected to be the first overall selection in the 2020 draft (via Sun-Sentinel). As the Dolphins lost game after game, fans started to chant “tank for Tua.” Because Miami had lost their first seven games, they were in a lot of mental distress. They did, however, win five of their last nine games and squander the No. 1 selection. Even though Tagovailoa’s hip was dislocated, they were still able to get him. Other teams were hesitant to take the Hawaiian, but Miami did.
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Tennessee Titans (19.) (2014)
In 2014, the Titans hired Ken Whisenhunt as their first-year head coach. After three years of mediocrity under Mike Munchak, fans yearned for a new beginning. During Whisenhunt’s reign of terror, however, fortunes plunged. The coach, however, maintained that patience was unnecessary since they were prepared from the outset. Unfortunately, such was not the case, as they only managed to win two games during the season.
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They beat the Chiefs on opening day, but they went on to lose their last ten games of the year. This was the team’s poorest season since the 1994 season, when they finished 2-14. After a 1-6 start to 2015, Tennessee finally cut their losses and dismissed him. They had Marcus Mariota by then, at the very least. However, they lacked a competent quarterback the prior season. Fans were in tears as a result of their outrage (via Fansided).
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Houston Texans (#18) (2005)
After four years of existence, Houstonians wanted to see development. Instead, the Oilers made them weep in 2005. Dom Capers was fired after leading the team to a dismal 2-14 record. They established the franchise’s lowest point difference ever. Meanwhile, David Carr was subjected to a barrage of abuse throughout 2005. He was sacked 68 times by opposing teams (via Chron.com).
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It’s no surprise that he never lived up to his full potential. The only positive aspect of this season was an excellent draft. Gary Kubiak also took over as head coach and turned around the team’s fortunes. This demonstrates the difficulty of launching a new franchise. Houston needed to catch up on a lot of ground, but they didn’t prepare well enough. That’s why they’ve had so many losing seasons in the double digits.
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San Francisco 49ers (#17) (2016)
Chip Kelly was hired by the Niners after three seasons with the Eagles. Because things didn’t go well in Philadelphia, it was a dangerous decision. Kelly’s appointment was a debacle, therefore this should have served as a warning to San Francisco. In the Golden State, he barely lasted one season. On their route to a 2-14 record, the 49ers were terrible. Much of it had to do with Jim Harbaugh’s departure two years before.
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Meanwhile, CEO Jed York made some dreadful decisions that made fans sob. Trent Baalke, the franchise’s general manager, was unable to contain the influx of talent. Then he failed to find new stars to replace the players. Finally, Jim O’Neill’s hiring made no sense (via FOX Sports). In Cleveland, the former Browns defensive coordinator had a dismal track record. The Niners’ collapse had little effect on the situation in Santa Clara.
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Oakland Raiders (#16) (2014)
There were legitimate concerns that the Raiders will have a winless season in 2014. They finished 3-13 in the end. They did, however, lose their first 11 games. There was a loss of historic proportions as a result of this. The Rams suffered their second-worst loss in franchise history, and the worst since 1961. Because this club has such a long history, it was upsetting for fans to see (via CBS Sacramento).
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Derek Carr of Fresno State was picked by Oakland. The young rookie did well, but his colleagues were not supportive. Rich Gannon cried foul as a result of their poor performance (via Sports Illustrated). The former Raiders quarterback demanded that the team refund the ticket money to the fans. They lost 17 games in a row in the end, including six from the previous season. Gannon was understandably enraged.
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Indianapolis Colts (#15) (2011)
The Colts were successful thanks to Peyton Manning. However, his injury in 2011 created a huge void in their lineup. The famous quarterback missed the whole season due to injury. Indianapolis was in desperate need of a temporary replacement. Kerry Collins was eventually enticed out of retirement. Curtis Painter was also given a chance, but neither man was up to the task (Sportscasting).
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They concluded the season with a 2-14 record. Because they were one of the most competitive teams of their time, it was startling. They did, however, get Andrew Luck as a straight successor for Manning. He didn’t depart the Colts in the way he intended, which was terrible. But in Denver, he resurrected his career and made a fortune. As a result, he didn’t shed too many tears about it.
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Kansas City Chiefs (14). (2012)
For a variety of reasons, this season was a disaster. First, the Kansas City roster’s quality was not reflected in the results on the field. They had several really gifted players, but their record was just 2-14. They did, however, lack an elite quarterback. After Peyton Manning left the Colts, the Chiefs sought to woo him to Arrowhead Stadium. However, they eventually failed, and Matt Cassel began the season.
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Cassel was a shrewd interceptor who didn’t assist their case. Meanwhile, front-office mistakes made by Scott Pioli and Romeo Crennel added fuel to the flames. Their poor decisions infuriated fans, who demanded that they quit the brand. Finally, the tragic death of Jovan Belcher brought an end to one of the worst Chiefs seasons in franchise history (via USA Today). After a shambles of a year, they were able to obtain Alex Smith’s services.
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Houston Texans (#13) (2013)
The Texans have become increasingly dysfunctional in recent years. The franchise, on the other hand, has a history of dramatic ups and downs. Gary Kubiak, the team’s second-ever coach, was fired in 2013 following a disastrous losing season. The previous year, he led them to an excellent 12-4 record, but their fortunes changed drastically. Meanwhile, Kubiak and team owner Bob McNair had a big falling out (via Houston Chronicle).
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McNair was enraged following the Texans’ loss to the Jaguars. He was also upset that Kubiak benched QB Case Keenum twice in favor of Matt Schaub. When he fired Kubiak in January, the season was already over. It’s fair to assume Kubiak didn’t weep when he walked away from the tumultuous franchise. Bill O’Brien was brought in after Wade Phillips took over on an interim basis.
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Buccaneers of Tampa Bay, No. 12 (2011)
Tampa Bay has a higher victory total than the majority of the clubs on this list. Their final record was 4-12, but it doesn’t tell the whole picture. They let up more than 200 points than they scored. Meanwhile, they were mired in a -200 point deficit and a -15 turnover margin (via The Comeback). They’re statistically among the weakest teams of the decade. This team’s fans continue to weep.
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Surprisingly, their defense collapsed. It used to be one of their most dependable components of their arrangement. QB Josh Freeman threw 22 interceptions, which didn’t help matters. When a quarterback is hurling the ball to the opponent, scoring is tough. It was made worse by the fact that they had began the season with a 3-1 record. However, in Week 5, the Buccaneers were thrashed by San Francisco, and the Bucs were unable to recover (via SB Nation).
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Miami Dolphins (11th) (2007)
The 2007 Dolphins season will go down in history as a legendary and infamous season. After winning the season’s last game, they went 1-15. They were, however, awful. After a rocky start in the NFL, Nick Saban jumped ship to Alabama. He made it clear to the media that he had no interest in playing for the Crimson Tide. But it didn’t deter him from playing collegiate football again. Cam Cameron was given a poisoned chalice as a gift (via Bleacher Report).
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For over two decades, Miami fans have witnessed Dan Marino light up the league. He was lucky to be alive since John Beck’s antics would have made him turn in his grave. In a strip joint, the hapless rookie tossed interceptions like dollar bills. Because it was so horrible, older admirers wanted to weep and rip their hair out. They had the opportunity to sign Drew Brees, but they blew it. For more than a decade, the slide persisted.
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Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengal (2019)
Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer described the season as a “disaster.” He wasn’t mistaken; it was the worst season in the franchise’s history. After a string of lackluster performances, they concluded the year with a 2-14 record. Because to A.J. Green’s injury, the Bengals suffered a severe setback before to the start of the season. This was a significant setback, but it was no justification for their dreadful 0-11 start (via Cincinnati Enquirer).
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Furthermore, Andy Dalton’s performance was deteriorating rapidly. Before the trade deadline, ‘The Red Rifle’ was replaced by Ryan Finley. They eventually invited him back in due of his experience. The Bengals, on the other hand, had a bad year and eventually sank. However, it may go down in history as one of their most pivotal years. Joe Burrow was chosen first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by Cincinnati.
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9. Browns of Cleveland (2016)
In 2016 and 2017, the Browns were abysmal. In Hue Jackson’s debut season, they did manage a single victory. This happened against the San Diego Chargers in the last game of the season. The Browns opened the season with Robert Griffin III. However, because to his terrible performance, Jackson replaced him with backup quarterback Cody Kessler. He tried six quarterbacks, all of them were terrible, which was hilarious (via FOX Sports).
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They even had a smaller scoring margin the next year than the winless squad. This was a team that lacked direction and lacked an exceptional starting quarterback. Johnny Manziel departed before the season began and became a thorn in their side for the next three years. Fans cried in anguish at this period, yet they remained faithful. It was more than the squad deserved after being so depressing to watch.
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Panthers of Carolina, No. 8 (2010)
In 2010, the Panthers were by far the poorest club in the league. After Jake Delhomme’s departure two years before, they were a squad in flux. They were left with just Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen as possibilities. However, neither guy was equal to the challenge, and they ended up with a dreadful -212 point difference (via The Athletic). They won two games, but these were rare oases in a tanking season.
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It was enough to make grown men weep just watching Moore toss. There was, however, a silver lining for the squad. Their incompetence on the field earned them the first overall draft selection the next year. They quickly signed Cam Newton and began a tremendous phase for the team. With important selections like first overall picks, NFL clubs thrive and fall. They did, however, make the correct decision this time.
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The Rams of St. Louis are ranked seventh in the NFL (2009)
After this disaster of a season, Steve Spagnuolo’s career took ten years to recover. During his brief career as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, he made devoted Rams fans weep. Their timetable wasn’t very rigorous, but they made it difficult. The Rams gave up an absurd 27.25 points per game (via USA Today). Because they delivered outcomes to their opponents, it was as though their defense didn’t exist.
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Their lone victory came in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. They were, however, a shambles. Throughout the season, the team switched quarterbacks. None of them, however, made a significant effect. Following a string of disappointing outcomes, fan turnout fell, and several television networks even canceled their broadcasts. This season had a significant impact on the franchise’s history in Missouri.
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6. Patriots of New England (1990)
Before Tom Brady, it’s impossible to recall the Patriots. Steve Grogan was their main quarterback when he was only 13 years old in 1990. However, he had reached the pinnacle of his talents, and the Patriots were abysmal. Rod Rust took over as head coach and guided the squad to a win against the Miami Dolphins on opening day. However, when the team’s performance deteriorated, everything spiraled out of hand.
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They concluded the season with a dreadful 1-15 record. Because the Patriots are such a well-oiled machine, it’s hard to see them in this state right now. They went on a 15-game losing streak and had the lowest point differential of the 1990s. This was a bad attempt, and they were humiliated by the other teams. They had no justification for how awful they were (via Washington Post).
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5. Buccaneers of Tampa Bay (1976)
The 1976 Buccaneers are often regarded as the worst squad in NFL history by many older fans. They were also the second-worst losing franchise in history, with a dreadful 0-14 record. Fortunately, there aren’t many surviving enthusiasts from that age. Their dreadful performances are sure to have caused a lot of mature men weep. These games were also not close, with Tampa losing by an average of 20.5 points (via Bleacher Report).
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The fact that they were an expansion club was the one saving grace. They didn’t expect to set the globe on fire. However, their losing streak lasted 26 games. It’s reasonable to assume that when the franchise owners joined the NFL, they had no intention of doing so. Surprisingly, they were patient with John McKay, the coach. Tampa Bay remained faithful to him, and he helped them win two division crowns.
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4. Lions of Detroit (2008)
Athletes speak about creating history all the time. However, being the first team to go 0-16 is not exactly what fans are hoping for. Over the last two decades, the Lions have had their share of bad luck. This, however, was the lowest point in their history. In 2017, the Browns followed in the footsteps of the Detroit Lions, who were the first to do so. This is something that rival supporters will always have in their back pocket to use against them.
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Daunte Culpepper, overdone, provided nothing. Rod Marinelli also gave his back-ups a go, but it didn’t work out. They ended up with a -249 point differential. Their defense was among the worst in NFL history. Calvin Johnson was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal season, with a season total of 1300-yards. However, many Lions supporters wept with wrath and sadness in 2008. (via The Ringer).
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Cleveland Browns, No. 3 (2017)
Nothing makes supporters weep more than a loss. The Browns, on the other hand, took this to a new level in 2017. They had a terrible losing season in which everything went wrong. This was also a clear effort to tank, but the Cleveland faithful were enraged. At Ohio, sitting in a stadium during the cold is difficult. Even while their supporters continued to attend games, they deserved more from the squad and front office.
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They were never going to go far with DeShone Kizer as their starter, unfortunately. This was the same Kizer who went on to be the Packers’ backup quarterback the following season. Finally, by 2021, he had dropped out of the league. With 22 interceptions this season, he lead the NFL in interceptions. Hue Jackson wasn’t outstanding, but he was bound to fail due to his roster’s ineptness. In the end, they were the first team since 2008 to go winless (via Chicago Tribune).
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New York Jets, No. 2 (2020)
The Jets weren’t the worst club in 2020 on paper. That accolade, though, belongs to the Jaguars. Adam Gase’s last season as head coach, on the other hand, was a train wreck from start to finish. Surprisingly, they won two games against playoff opponents, but they were otherwise abysmal. As a starting quarterback, Sam Darnold was likewise a disaster (via New York Post). In every game prior to Week 13, he threw more interceptions than touchdown passes.
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Another cause for their loss this season was their inability to lose games effectively. In the draft, everyone wanted Trevor Lawrence, and the Jets had the upper hand. All they had to do was continue to lose. It felt like a foregone outcome since this was the one thing they were excellent at. Lawrence’s relocation to Florida was finalized by a pair of startling back-to-back victories. The Jets have a knack for making their supporters weep.
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Jacksonville Jaguars, No. 1 (2021)
From a statistical standpoint, the Jaguars did not have the worst season. Head coach Urban Meyer, on the other hand, enraged the team’s supporters. After Trevor Lawrence dropped into their laps, it seemed like a new day had begun. However, they were unable to capitalize, and the squad was dogged by controversy. Finally, after losing patience, Shahid Khan dismissed Meyer in Week 13. It was unsurprising, given his disastrous presidency (via Sportscasting).
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He started by hiring a racial fitness instructor, which made news. After a day with the Jaguars, Chris Doyle left. Then there was Tim Tebow’s performance. Meyer, on the other hand, infuriated older players by treating them as though they were collegiate athletes. He also enraged his employees by disparaging them on a frequent basis. Meyer enjoyed an intimate dance with a young lady at a pub, which was the highlight of the night. She wasn’t his wife, of course.
The “nfl game day operations” is a blog that discusses the 25 NFL seasons that made football fans cry themselves to sleep. The blog articles are written by sports writers, and they discuss the most controversial moments in each of their respective seasons.
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