Only one NFL franchise can win the Super Bowl every season, leaving the rest to be judged from great to bad. And over the past two decades, a group of NFL franchises have put up historically bad numbers, etching their names into the wrong kind of history book.
In the last 20 years, the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders have struggled to be competitive year after year, leading to disappointed records, unhappy fans, and a disgruntled front office who are usually quick to make panic decisions in an act to change their luck.
These franchises stand out as NFL entities that have experienced prolonged disappointment in the locker room caused by poor on-field performance, instability within the organization, and friction between the coaching staff and players.
Mirror Sport looks at the worst NFL franchises over the last 20 years, how many games they have lost during that period, and what all went wrong during their worst season in two decades.
Cleveland Browns
Losses in Last Two Decades: 222
Worse Season Since Then: 2017
Record: 0-16
Head Coaching Changes: 6
The Browns went winless in 2017, failing to improve their 1-15 record the prior season. After losing every game that year, the Browns became the first team in NFL history to have consecutive seasons with 15 or more losses.
2017 also marked the first time that the Browns lost every home game on the schedule since 1999, finishing the past two seasons with a combined record of 1-31, causing yet another NFL record for the worst winning percentage for an NFL team over a two-season span.
Detroit Lions
Losses in Last Two Decades: 216
Worse Season Since Then: 2008
Record: 0-16
Head Coaching Changes: 6
The Detroit Lions entered the 2008 NFL season with high hopes after going undefeated under head coach Rod Marinelli in the pre-season. However, the team failed to take advantage of their momentum, going 0-16, making their season one of the worse in NFL history.
The Lions defensive issues were historically bad, breaking their franchise record for points given up during a season with 517. The number was eclipsed by themselves after allowing 519 points in 2020.
Their defense gave up 32 points per game in 2008, making them the third-worst defensive unit in NFL history since the 1960s. They were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention by Week 11, with the team president and Coach Marinelli both being relieved of their duties after the catastrophic season.
Las Vegas Raiders
Losses Last Two Decades: 211
Worse Season Since Then: 2006
Record: 2-14
Head Coaching Changes: 12
The Raiders had one of the best defenses in the NFL during 2006, but they didn't have the offensive firepower to put points on the board and win more than two games. The famous silver and black-trimmed team scored just 10.5 points per game, leading to the fifth-lowest numbers in league history across a whole regular reason.
The team, once based in Oakland, used two quarterbacks that season, with each only throwing for three touchdowns the entire year. According to Football Outsiders, the 2006 rendition of the Raiders had the sixth-largest gap between their offensive and defensive ratings, ranking 8th overall in defense and 32nd in total offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Losses in Last Two Decades: 211
Worse Season Since Then: 2020
Record: 1-15
Head Coaching Changes: 7
The Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 season was their third consecutive losing season, with their ninth in the last ten years. The team was eliminated from playoff contention for its third season in a row, causing their GM, David Caldwell, to be fired.
The Jaguars had the worst record of 2020, earning the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, which turned into current franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. Under the leadership of their new rookie QB, the Jags carried their 15-game losing streak from the season before, getting off to a 0-5 start before winning against the Miami Dolphins during NFL London.
Washington Commanders
Losses in Last Two Decades: 198
Worse Season Since Then: 2013/2019
Record: 3/13
Head Coaching Changes: 7
The Commanders have undergone more name changes than any NFL franchise within the past two decades. The team also experienced some of the worst seasons in franchise history, winning just three games in 2013 and 2019.
The team opened the 2019 season with five straight losses, marking their worse opening campaign since 2001. The team fired their head coach Jay Gruden and promoted their offensive line coach to the top role, who finished the season with just three victories.
After years of controversy regarding the name of the franchise, Washington decided to change their name to the Commanders after a previous two-year spell known as the Washington Football Team.
