The National Football League has produced some of the greatest dynasties in sports history—teams defined by excellence, resilience, and legendary performances.
But for every championship run, there exists the opposite extreme.
Some teams didn’t merely lose games; they collapsed so dramatically that their seasons became cautionary tales of dysfunction, poor roster construction, and historic ineptitude.
These squads struggled on both sides of the ball, shattered unwanted records, and left fans enduring seasons best remembered for all the wrong reasons.
From expansion disasters to winless campaigns, here are the 25 worst NFL teams of all time, ranked by just how unforgettable their failures were.
25. 1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5–11)
In only their second year as an NFL franchise, the Buccaneers endured another painful season. Tampa Bay scored just 161 total points, the lowest in the league, while surrendering an alarming 28.3 points per game.
Though marginally improved from their debut season, they were still miles away from respectability.
24. 1986 New York Jets (4–12)
The Jets’ season unraveled behind inconsistent quarterback play from Ken O’Brien, who threw 16 interceptions. Their rushing attack ranked dead last in the league, leaving New York rooted to the bottom of the AFC East.
23. 2005 Cleveland Browns (3–13)
Romeo Crennel’s first season as head coach exposed a defense that allowed 5.8 yards per play. Cleveland’s three victories came only against teams with losing records, highlighting just how uncompetitive they were week to week.
22. 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2–14)
Lovie Smith’s second year in Tampa quickly turned disastrous. Quarterback Mike Glennon struggled, while the defense collapsed, conceding 405 points—one of the worst totals in franchise history.
21. 2012 Kansas City Chiefs (2–14)
A quarterback carousel featuring Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn produced one of the league’s worst offenses. Kansas City finished dead last in both total yards and points scored, making this season painfully forgettable.
20. 2009 St. Louis Rams (1–15)
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense allowed 32.7 points per game, while the offense offered little resistance. Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford was overwhelmed, and the Rams limped to a single win.
19. 1991 Indianapolis Colts (1–15)
Rookie quarterback Jeff George struggled mightily, plagued by turnovers and inconsistency. Poor personnel decisions left the roster depleted, resulting in one of the worst seasons in Colts history.
18. 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars (3–14)
Urban Meyer’s chaotic and controversial tenure defined this disastrous campaign. Jacksonville’s defense allowed 30.4 points per game, while rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence endured a turbulent introduction to the NFL.
17. 1973 Houston Oilers (1–13)
Sid Gillman’s experimental offense failed spectacularly. Quarterback Dan Pastorini threw 20 interceptions, and Houston’s lone win did little to redeem a historically poor season.
16. 2020 New York Jets (2–14)
Under Adam Gase, quarterback Sam Darnold regressed, and the defense unraveled. The Jets’ only two wins came against fellow bottom-feeders, underscoring their overall ineffectiveness.
15. 1992 Seattle Seahawks (2–14)
Seattle fielded one of the worst offenses in NFL history, averaging a shocking 8.8 points per game. The season was so bleak it earned the nickname “Ground Zero,” with defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy as the lone bright spot.
14. 1971 Buffalo Bills (1–13)
Despite being O.J. Simpson’s rookie season, Buffalo struggled mightily. Simpson rushed for just 742 yards, while the defense allowed 31 points per game, resulting in only one win.
13. 1982 Baltimore Colts (0–8–1)
In a strike-shortened season, the Colts failed to win a single game, salvaging only one tie. Their offense was nearly nonexistent, making this campaign a low point in franchise history.
12. 1985 Buffalo Bills (2–14)
Buffalo scored just 194 points all season. Ironically, the suffering paid off long-term, as the Bills landed Jim Kelly in the draft, laying the foundation for future success.
11. 2019 Cincinnati Bengals (2–14)
Zac Taylor’s debut season was brutal. Inconsistent quarterback play from Andy Dalton and Ryan Finley resulted in just two wins and signaled the start of a full-scale rebuild.
10. 2011 St. Louis Rams (2–14)
The Rams closed the season on a seven-game losing streak. Offensive stagnation and defensive lapses ensured they were rarely competitive.
9. 2007 Oakland Raiders (2–14)
Lane Kiffin’s short-lived coaching tenure coincided with the disastrous rise—and fall—of JaMarcus Russell, one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
8. 1996 New York Jets (1–15)
Just one year after a 10–6 season, the Jets collapsed entirely. Quarterbacks Neil O’Donnell and Chad Pennington struggled, producing a season that fans would rather forget.
7. 2016 Cleveland Browns (1–15)
Hue Jackson’s Browns won their season opener—then lost 15 straight games. Erratic quarterback play and a porous defense defined yet another dark chapter in Cleveland’s history.
6. 2000 San Diego Chargers (1–15)
Quarterback Ryan Leaf imploded, throwing 18 interceptions and posting a passer rating near 50. His performance cemented this team’s place among the NFL’s worst.
5. 2007 Miami Dolphins (1–15)
Under head coach Cam Cameron, Miami’s offense averaged just 16.7 points per game. Quarterbacks Cleo Lemon and John Beck failed to generate consistency.
4. 2001 Carolina Panthers (1–15)
Rookie quarterback Chris Weinke struggled badly, while head coach George Seifert’s team lost 15 games—most by double digits.
3. 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0–14)
As an expansion team, Tampa Bay’s inaugural season was historically awful. They scored only 125 points and failed to win a single game.
2. 2008 Detroit Lions (0–16)
Detroit’s defense allowed 517 points, while the offense never found rhythm. The Lions became the first team in NFL history to finish 0–16.
1. 2017 Cleveland Browns (0–16)
The ultimate symbol of NFL futility, the 2017 Browns matched Detroit’s unwanted record. Scoring just 18.7 points per game, Cleveland cemented its place as the worst team in league history.
FAQ
Has Any NFL Team Gone Winless In A Season?
Yes both the 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns completed entire seasons without a single win.
What Causes NFL Teams To Perform So Poorly?
A mix of injuries, poor coaching, weak drafting, and lack of chemistry often leads to historically bad seasons.
What Team Had The Worst Offense In NFL History?
The 1992 Seattle Seahawks averaged just 8.8 points per game — one of the lowest offensive outputs ever recorded.
Did Any Bad NFL Teams Later Turn Things Around?
Yes. Teams like the Buccaneers and Chiefs rebounded from dismal years to eventually win Super Bowls.