Worst NFL Teams in Modern History

These are the worst of the worst football teams since the NFL started playing 16 games in 1978.

Every year there are bad teams in the NFL, but these are the worst of the worst.

Fans of the Rams, Browns and Lions may want to avert their eyes to avoid any PTSD-like flashbacks. But there’s a wide assortment of dreadful clubs led by bad coaches and doomed by shoddy quarterback play and abysmal defenses.

The NFL may be going to a 17-game schedule starting in 2021, but it’s time to look back and acknowledge the worst since they last changed the annual slate. These are the 30 worst NFL teams since the league changed from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

40. 1995 New York Jets

New York Jets coach Rich Kotite doesn't want to be the worst

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Coach: Rich Kotite

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 233/384 (-151)

Notable Players: 1995 New York Jets

New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

QB Boomer Esiasion, RB Adrian Murrell, KR/PR Dexter Carter, DB Victor Green, LB Mo Lewis

Bottom Line: 1995 New York Jets

Jets defenders tackling Marshall Faulk

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

The New York Jets fired Pete Carroll after the 1994 season and brought in Rich Kotite, who led the team to a 3-13 record — the team’s worst record since going 3-11 in 1977.

The Jets actually grabbed a piece of NFL history in 1995 when they became the first team to lose a regular-season game to the expansion Carolina Panthers.

39. 1994 Washington Redskins

NFL Teams: Washington Redskins receiver Henry Ellard

Doug Mills / AP Photo

Coach: Norv Turner

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 320/412 (-92)

Notable Players: 1994 Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins defensive lineman Jeff Faulkner tackles Marcus Allen

Doug Pizac / AP Photo

QB Heath Shuler, QB John Friesz, WR Henry Ellard, KR/PR Brian Mitchell, LB Andre Collins

Bottom Line: 1994 Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins fans

Mark Wilson / AP Photo

The 1994 season broke new ground for the Washington Redskins. Their 3-13 record was their worst season since 1961 and the most losses the franchise had ever had in a single season since the NFL expanded schedules to 16 games.

Under first-year head coach Norv Turner, Washington also went 0-10 at RFK Stadium.

There was one bona fide star on the inept 1994 Washington Redskins. Running back/return specialist Brian Mitchell racked up 2,477 all-purpose yards.

38. 1993 Cincinnati Bengals

Barry Sanders battles Cincinnati Bengals defenders James Francis, Ricardo McDonald

Lennox McLendon / AP Photo

Coach: David Shula

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 187/319 (-132)

Notable Players: 1993 Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback David Klingler

80sSportsNStuff / Twitter

QB David Klingler, WR Jeff Query, FS Darryl Williams, LB Ricardo McDonald, DT Tim Krumrie

Bottom Line: 1993 Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns defensive back Everson Walls tackles David Klingler

Piet van Lier / AP Photo

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted University of Houston quarterback David Klingler with the No. 6 overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft and decided to hand him the keys to the offense in 1993.

The results were disastrous. The Bengals started the season 0-10, and the franchise and its fans quickly realized Klingler was not going to be the savior they hoped he’d be.

When the Bengals finally picked up the first win of the season against the Oakland Raiders in Week 11, it was their first win over a team that finished the season with a winning record since a 1991 AFC wild-card game against the Houston Oilers.

37. 2013 Houston Texans

Robert Mathis and Derek Newton

Darron Cummings / AP Photo

Coach: Wade Phillips and Gary Kubiak

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 276/428 (-152)

Notable Players: 2013 Houston Texans

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub

Eric Gay / AP Photo

DE J.J. Watt, OT Duane Brown, WR Andre Johnson, QB Matt Schaub, RB Ben Tate, RB Arian Foster

Bottom Line: 2013 Houston Texans

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

Few teams in recent NFL history have experienced as big of a drop-off from the previous season as the 2013 Houston Texans, who went 12-4 in 2012 and made the AFC playoffs for the second consecutive season.

After a 2-0 start in 2013, the bottom fell out and the Texans ended the season on a 14-game losing streak.

36. 2019 Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Cordy Glenn

Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo

Coach: Zac Taylor

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 279/420 (-141)

Notable Players: 2019 Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton gets sacked

Tim Ireland / AP Photo

DT Geno Atkins, QB Andy Dalton, RB Joe Mixon, FS Jessie Bates, DE Carlos Dunlap

Bottom Line: 2019 Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton

Frank Victores / AP Photo

Two years before their magical Super Bowl run following the 2021 regular season, the franchise was one of the worst in the NFL. That ended up being the catalyst for their Super Bowl run.

This was the first season for head coach Zac Taylor, and the franchise secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft with a loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. They used the top pick on the Heisman Trophy winner — LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

35. 2004 San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Coach: Dennis Erickson

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 259/452 (-193)

Notable Players: 2004 San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Lloyd

Paul Sakum / AP Photo

QB Tim Rattay, LS Bryan Jennings, TE Eric Johnson, WR Brandon Lloyd, LB Derek Smith, LB Jeff Ulbricht

Bottom Line: 2004 San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Julian Peterson and Jerome Pathon

Bill Haber / AP Photo

Dennis Erickson only lasted two seasons as the San Francisco 49es head coach, going 2-14 in 2004. It was his second attempt at coaching in the NFL after being fired by the Seattle Seahawks in 1998.

Erickson probably knew he was in over his head before the season even started, as the team lost arguably its three best players off the 2003 team with quarterback Jeff Garcia, wide receiver Terrell Owens and running back Garrison Hearst.

34. 1994 Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers offensive lineman Bruce Matthews and Cleveland Browns linebacker Clay Matthews

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Coach: Jeff Fisher

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 226/352 (-126)

Notable Players: 1994 Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers running back Lorenzo White

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OL Bruce Matthews, CB Darryl Lewis, RB Lorenzo White, WR Webster Slaughter

Bottom Line: 1994 Houston Oilers

San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau sacks Houston Oilers quarterback Bucky Richardson

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams proved he was a man of his word in 1994.

Before the 1993 season, Adams had promised to break up the team if they didn’t win the Super Bowl. After the Oilers went 12-4, earned a first-round bye and lost at home to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round, Adams took a hatchet to the roster.

Head coach Jack Pardee was fired after 10 games, and Jeff Fisher was brought in. Fisher led the franchise for the next 16 seasons, including its move to Tennessee.

33. 1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Gerald Carter

AP Photo

Coach: John McKay

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 241/380 (-139)

Notable Players: 1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Jeff Davis tackles Walter Payton

Jim Bourdier / AP Photo

LB Hugh Green, WR Kevin House, RB James Wilder, DE Lee Roy Selmon

Bottom Line: 1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers defenders Lee Roy Selmon and Jeff Davis tackle Bengals running back Charles Alexander

AP Photo

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 1983 season on a hot streak. They’d made the playoffs each of the previous two seasons.

It’s not hard to figure out why the Bucs were so bad in 1983, when they went 2-14. Star quarterback Doug Williams, who proved he was one of the NFL’s best over the previous two seasons, bolted for the USFL after contract talks with the Bucs broke down.

32. 2001 Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith

Don Frazier / AP Photo

Coach: George Seifert

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 253/410 (-157)

Notable Players: 2001 Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke

Scott Audette / AP Photo

TE Wesley Walls, WR/KR/PR Steve Smith, P Todd Sauerbrun, LB Lester Towns, S Mike Minter

Bottom Line: 2001 Carolina Panthers

Panthers defenders Dan Morgan and Deveron Harper tackle Michael Vick

Alan Mothner / AP Photo

The third and final season for Carolina Panthers head coach George Seifert came after the team showed some promise in 2000, when they finished 7-9.

The Panthers didn’t improve in 2001. Instead, they posted one of the worst seasons in NFL history and went 1-15.

After winning the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, the Panthers reeled off 15 consecutive losses, which was a record at the time.

31. 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

Gary McCullough / AP Photo

Coach: Urban Meyer and Darrell Bevell

Record: 3-14

Points for/against: 253/457 (-204)

Notable Players: 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars defenders Myles Jack and Andre Cisco defend against Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

QB Trevor Lawrence, LB Myles Jack, RB James Robinson, WR Marvin Jones

Bottom Line: 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer

John McCoy / AP Photo

It’s easy to point fingers when it came to the disastrous 2021 season for the Jacksonville Jaguars — mainly because they’re all pointed at the same person.

Legendary college coach Urban Meyer took his one and likely only shot at leading an NFL team and quickly found himself in over his head. His most notable blunder was when he didn’t return home on the team plane after a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, choosing to go party with friends instead.

It wasn’t the first or last public misstep for Meyer, who was fired with a 2-11 record and four games left in the regular season.

30. 2003 Arizona Cardinals

Bryan Robinson reacts

Dave Martin / AP Photo

Coach: Dave McGinnis

Record: 4-12

Points for/against: 225/452 (-227)

Notable Players: 2003 Arizona Cardinals

Jeff Blake

AZSportsHistory / Twitter

QB Jeff Blake, RB Marcel Shipp, WR Anquan Boldin, LB Ronald McKinnon, CB Renaldo Hill, S Dexter Jackson

Bottom Line: 2003 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin stopped by Detroit Lions' Eddie Drummond

Carlos Osorio / AP Photo

The Cardinals married a dreadful offense with a putrid defense to execute one of the worst seasons in NFL history. Arizona ranked dead last in points scored and points allowed, and their four wins were by a combined 14 points.

It ultimately was McGinnis’ final season as head coach in the desert.

29. 1998 Philadelphia Eagles

Bobby Hoying in action

Southern_Philly / Twitter

Coach: Ray Rhodes

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 161/344 (-183)

Notable Players: 1998 Philadelphia Eagles

Brian Dawkins

Stephen J. Boitano / AP Photo

QB Bobby Hoying, RB Duce Staley, WR Jeff Graham, S Brian Dawkins, CB Troy Vincent, DE Hugh Douglas

Bottom Line: 1998 Philadelphia Eagles

Troy Vincent looking out

CornerPubSports / Twitter

The 1998 Eagles were competent defensively, allowing the 19th most points in the NFL. But they were putrid on offense, averaging just 10 points per game and getting shut out three times. They scored only 17 offensive touchdowns all season and surpassed 20 points just once.

This season ultimately led to the Eagles drafting quarterback Donovan McNabb, though, so it wasn’t a total loss.

28. 2006 Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell expresses himself

Ed Zurga / AP Photo

Coach: Art Shell

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 168/332 (-164)

Notable Players: 2006 Oakland Raiders

Warren Sapp

Jeff Chiu / AP Photo

QB Andrew Walter, RB LaMont Jordan, WR Randy Moss, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, DT Warren Sapp, DE Derrick Burgess

Bottom Line: 2006 Oakland Raiders

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller forces Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to fumble

Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

The talent on the roster shouldn’t have finished 2-14 and especially shouldn’t have had the league’s worst offense — averaging 10.5 points per game, the fifth-fewest in a 16-game season — but Oakland was done in by shoddy quarterback play.

The Raiders threw just seven TD passes in 16 games, and Art Shell’s lone season in his second tenure as Raiders coach was a nightmare.

27. 2005 Houston Texans

Houston Texans' David Carr gets sacked

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Coach: Dom Capers

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 260/431 (-171)

Notable Players: 2005 Houston Texans

Andre Johnson

Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

QB David Carr, RB Dominick Williams, WR Andre Johnson, S Glenn Earl, LB Shantee Orr, LB Mormon Greenwood

Bottom Line: 2005 Houston Texans

Dunta Robinson misses tackle

Dave Einsel / AP Photo

Six of Houston’s losses came by one score, including two OT defeats — Week 12 against the Rams and Week 17 against the 49ers — which kept the Texans from mediocrity.

But this was still a terrible team, with the 32nd-ranked defense and 26th-best offense by points scored.

26. 2016 San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick gets sacked

Rick Scuteri / AP Photo

Coach: Chip Kelly

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 309/480 (-189)

Notable Players: 2016 San Francisco 49ers

Carlos Hyde

Daniel Gluskoter / AP Photo

QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Carlos Hyde, WR Jeremy Kerley, LB Gerald Hodges, DE DeForest Buckner, S Antoine Bethea

Bottom Line: 2016 San Francisco 49ers

NaVorro Bowman reacts

Tony Avelar / AP Photo

Kelly’s lone season by the bay is often remembered for Kaepernick’s peaceful pregame kneeling during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which started during the preseason that year. Perhaps that’s to wipe the memory of what happened on the field.

Oddly enough the season started with promise, in the form of a 28-0 victory against the Los Angeles Rams, but the Niners lost 13 games in a row and surrendered a league-high 480 points in just 15 games.

25. 2014 Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr looks out

Ben Margot / AP Photo

Coaches: Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 253/452 (-199)

Notable Players: 2014 Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

QB Derek Carr, RB Darren McFadden, WR James Jones, DE Justin Tuck, LB Miles Burris, CB Charles Woodson

Bottom Line: 2014 Oakland Raiders

LaMarr Woodley fails to sack Tom Brady

Elise Amendola / AP Photo

The Raiders lost their first 10 games and gave up the most points in the NFL this season. The Raiders allowed 30-plus points in eight of their 16 games including a 52-0 defeat at the hands of the Rams in Week 13.

Allen lost his job after Oakland dropped its first four.

24. 1984 Buffalo Bills

Dan Hampton holds Joe Ferguson

AP Photo

Coach: Kay Stephenson

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 250/454 (-204)

Notable Players: 1984 Buffalo Bills

Darryl Talley

AP Photo

QB Joe Ferguson, RB Greg Bell, WR Byron Franklin, CB Charles Romes, LB Darryl Talley, LB Jim Haslett

Bottom Line: 1984 Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals fullback Larry Kinnebrew stands over Buffalo Bills defensive end Ken Johnson as he spikes football

Al Behrman / AP Photo

The Bills went 2-14 in consecutive seasons between 1984 and 1985, but the 1984 version was worse.

The ’84 Bills scored the fourth-fewest points and gave up the second-most, starting 0-11 before winning two of their final five.

23. 1984 Minnesota Vikings

Archie Manning sits dejected on sidelines

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Coach: Les Steckel

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 276/484 (-208)

Notable Players: 1984 Minnesota Vikings

Tommy Kramer

Larry Salzman / AP Photo

QB Tommy Kramer, RB Alfred Anderson, WR Leo Lewis, CB Rufus Bess, S Carl Lee, DE Randy Holloway

Bottom Line: 1984 Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Viking's Greg Smith fails to tackle Billy Sims

AP Photo

The 1984 Vikings were the only team to allow more points than the Bills.

They actually started 2-2 before losing 12 of their final 13 games including a six-game losing streak to close the season where they were outscored 241-79.

22. 2012 Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Thomas

Colin E. Braley / AP Photo

Coach: Romeo Crennel

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 211/425 (-214)

Notable Players: 2012 Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles

Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

QB Matt Cassel, RB Jamaal Charles, WR Dwayne Bowe, CB Brandon Flowers, LB Derrick Johnson, LB Justin Houston

Bottom Line: 2012 Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel loses ball while being sacked by San Diego Chargers Jarret Johnson

Denis Poroy / AP Photo

The Chiefs were dead last in points scored and were held under 10 points in a game six times, including five of their final seven.

The Chiefs also had to deal with the tragic death of linebacker Jovan Belcher, who killed himself at their training facility on Dec. 1 that season.

21. 2010 Carolina Panthers

St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

Coach: John Fox

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 196/408 (-212)

Notable Players: 2010 Carolina Panthers

Jon Beason

Chuck Burton / AP Photo

QB Jimmy Clausen, RB Jonathan Stewart, WR Steve Smith, S Charles Godfrey, DE Charles Johnson, LB Jon Beason

Bottom Line: 2010 Carolina Panthers

Jimmy Clausen walks off field following loss to Seattle Seahawks

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

The 2010 Panthers allowed twice as many points as they scored and didn’t top 400 yards of offense in any game. The Panthers finished dead last in points scored, averaging 12 points scored per game, shuffling between Clausen and Matt Moore at quarterback.

The bottom-out paid off, though, as it enabled the Panthers to find their franchise quarterback, Cam Newton, which they chose with the top pick in the 2011 draft.

20. 1992 Seattle Seahawks

Kansas City Chiefs players tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Warren

Bill Chan / AP Photo

Coach: Tom Flores

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 140/312 (-172)

Notable Players: 1992 Seattle Seahawks

Cortez Kennedy

Bill Chan / AP Photo

QB Stan Gelbaugh, RB Chris Warren, WR John Williams, DT Cortez Kennedy, S Eugene Robinson, LB Rufus Porter

Bottom Line: 1992 Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks quarter back Stan Gelbaugh gets sacked by Lawrence Taylor

Kevin Larkin / AP Photo

The 1992 Seahawks have the dubious distinction of scoring the fewest points in a 16-game NFL season. They averaged less than nine per game and didn’t top 17 points in any game.

Fortunately, Seattle had a competent defense, which kept it in games and carried it to its two wins, a 10-6 victory over New England in Week 3 and a 16-13 OT win in Week 13 against Denver.

19. 2000 San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers center David Binn and place kicker Nate Kaeding during warmups prior to game

Chris Park / AP Photo

Coach: Mike Riley

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 269/440 (-171)

Notable Players: 2000 San Diego Chargers

Junior Seau

Lenny Ignelzi / AP Photo

QB Ryan Leaf, RB Terrell Fletcher, WR Jeff Graham, LB Junior Seau, S Rodney Harrison, DT John Parrella

Bottom Line: 2000 San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers' Ryan Leaf looking upset

ryandleaf / Instagram

Why are these 1-15 Chargers so low? Mostly because they simply found ways to lose games.

They weren’t last in offense or defense but dropped eight games by one score, including six by three points or fewer — San Diego allowed the go-ahead score in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter and lost one more in overtime.

Ironically if not for a one-point win over the Chiefs in Week 13 that was decided by John Carney’s 52-yard field goal with 2:14 left, the Chargers would’ve been the first team to go winless in a 16-game season.

18. 2011 St. Louis Rams

Seattle Seahawks safety Lawyer Milloy tackles St. Louis Rams player in first half

Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

Coach: Steve Spagnuolo

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 193/407 (-214)

Notable Players: 2011 St. Louis Rams

Chris Long

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

QB Sam Bradford, RB Steven Jackson, WR Brandon Lloyd, CB Josh Gordy, DE Chris Long, LB James Laurinaitis

Bottom Line: 2011 St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford looking out

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

The three-season Spagnuolo era in St. Louis was bookended by miserable seasons, including 2011 when the Rams again were doubled up and scored the fewest points in the league.

The Rams were largely uncompetitive outside of a three-week stretch mid-season when they won twice and lost in overtime to the Cardinals.

17. 1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Steve DeBerg hit hard by Miami Dolphins linebacker Hugh Green

Raul De Molina / AP Photo

Coach: Lehman Bennett

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 239/473 (-234)

Notable Players: 1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

jeffpearlman / Twitter

QB Steve Young, RB James Wilder, WR Gerald Carter, CB Vito McKeever, CB Rod Jones, LB Keith Browner

Bottom Line: 1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenders can't tackle Rams running back

Lennox McLendon / AP Photo

This list could not exist without a Buccaneers team, and the 1986 club was the worst in franchise history. The 1986 Bucs were dead last in points allowed and scored the third-fewest. They lost their final seven games and were outscored 227-78 in that stretch.

Adding insult to injury, Young left the Bucs after the season and started his march to the Hall of Fame as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

16. 1999 Cleveland Browns

Tim Couch looking away

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Coach: Chris Palmer

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 217/437 (-220)

Notable Players: 1999 Cleveland Browns

Orlando Brown

Tony Dejak / AP Photo

QB Tim Couch, RB Terry Kirby, WR Kevin Johnson, S Marquez Pope, DE John Thierry, LB Wali Rainer, OL Orlando Brown

Bottom Line: 1999 Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch signals during first quarter

James A. Finley / AP Photo

The expansion Browns weren’t expected to have success in 1999, and they lived up to the expectations.

Cleveland started 0-7 and only a Hail Mary in New Orleans and a last-second, game-winning field goal in Pittsburgh kept the Browns from going winless.

15. 2008 St. Louis Rams

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Dan Klecko wraps up St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger during football game

Tom Mihalek / AP Photo

Coach: Scott Linehan/Jim Haslett

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 232/465 (-233)

Notable Players: 2008 St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson

Stephen Brashear / AP Photo

QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, S OJ Atogwe, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, DE Leonard Little

Bottom Line: 2008 St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Richie Incognito with dejected expression

Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

Poor, poor Rams fans. St. Louis won two games or fewer in three out of four seasons between 2008-11, starting in the dreadful 2008 campaign.

Linehan was fired after an 0-4 start, and the Rams won their first two under Haslett before losing 10 straight — and being outscored 287-117 — to close the season.

14. 2009 Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton tries to get up after losing helmet while being tackled

Al Goldis / AP Photo

Coach: Jim Schwartz

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 262/494 (-232)

Notable Players: 2009 Detroit Lions

Calvin Johnson

Paul Sancya / AP Photo

QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kevin Smith, WR Calvin Johnson, DE Cliff Avril, LB Larry Foote, CB Will Peterson

Bottom Line: 2009 Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford looks dejected after being sacked

David Duprey / AP Photo

The 2008 Lions were putrid (more on them later), but the team did not get markedly better the following season.

Detroit ended its then-record losing streak in Week 3 with a 19-14 win over Washington, but won just one of its final 13 games — and that victory was a one-point, walk-off win over the equally putrid Browns.

13. 2000 Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns player getting tackled

titanfan8 / Twitter

Coach: Chris Palmer

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 161/419 (-258)

Notable Players: 2000 Cleveland Browns

Courtney Brown

Ed Betz / AP Photo

QB Tim Couch, RB Travis Prentice, WR Kevin Johnson, CB Corey Fuller, DE Keith McKenzie, LB Wali Rainer, DE Courtney Brown

Bottom Line: 2000 Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns getting stopped by Titans players

titanfan8 / Twitter

The 1999 Browns were famously bad, but the 2000 version was arguably worse especially on offense. The Browns scored just 16 offensive touchdowns and averaged just 10 points per game.

It was also the second year in a row the Browns had the No. 1 overall pick and picked an all-time bust — Tim Couch in 1999 and Courtney Brown in 2000.

Somehow, the Browns started the season 2-1 but went 1-12 thereafter and were shut out four times. Palmer, who was hired as an offensive guru, was fired after this season.

12. 1981 Baltimore Colts

Baltimore Colts cornerback, Derrick Hatchett fails to cover Art Monk

Bill Auth / AP Photo

Coach: Mike McCormack

Record: 2-14

Points for/against: 259/533 (-274)

Notable Players: 1981 Baltimore Colts

Baltimore Colts

Ray Stubblebine / AP Photo

QB Bert Jones, RB Curtis Dickey, WR Ray Butler, CB Larry Braziel, S Bruce Laird, LB Ed Smith

Bottom Line: 1981 Baltimore Colts

Mike McCormack looks weary

Rusty Kennedy / AP Photo

The Colts bookended their 1981 season with wins over the New England Patriots, starting 1-0 then losing 14 straight games before a two-point win in Week 16.

The Colts still hold the record for most points allowed in an NFL season, allowing more than 33 per game and have the worst point differential of any team in a 16-game season.

11. 2007 Miami Dolphins

Ronnie Brown is tackled by Cleveland Browns' Leon Williams

Tom Puskar / AP Photo

Coach: Cam Cameron

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 267/437 (-170)

Notable Players: 2007 Miami Dolphins

Joey Porter

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

QB Cleo Lemon, RB Ronnie Brown, WR Marty Booker, DE Jason Taylor, LB Channing Crowder, LB Joey Porter

Bottom Line: 2007 Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon walks off field dejected

David Duprey / AP Photo

The 2007 Dolphins started the season 0-13, with a slew of gut-wrenching defeats — six of which came by three points, including a 13-10 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in London.

The Dolphins were just an overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens from becoming the first team to go winless in a 16-game season.

10. 1996 New York Jets

New York Jets player sitting on field upset

JOrtega95 / Twitter

Coach: Rich Kotite

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 279/454 (-175)

Notable Players: 1996 New York Jets

Keyshawn Johnson

jonathanjoyce17 / Twitter

QB Frank Reich, RB Adrian Murrell, WR Wayne Chrebet, CB Aaron Glenn, DE Hugh Douglas, LB Victor Green, WR Keyshawn Johnson

Bottom Line: 1996 New York Jets

Frank Reich in action

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The 1996 Jets were famously bad, even among Jets teams. Kotite was universally reviled by fans, who made shirts that read “Just End The Season” and “Ditch Rich.” All of this after they used the No.1 overall pick to take USC wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

The Jets started 0-8 and lost six games by one possession or less. Kotite’s incompetence led to the Bill Parcells era, and the Jets were in the AFC Championship Game just two years later.

9. 1989 Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Troy Aikman tackled by Eagles

Brad Bower / AP Photo

Coach: Jimmy Johnson

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 204/393 (-189)

Notable Players: 1989 Dallas Cowboys

Troy Aikman

Mark Lenniman / AP Photo

QB Troy Aikman, RB Herschel Walker, WR Michael Irvin, DE Jim Jeffcoat, LB Ken Norton Jr., LB Jack Del Rio

Bottom Line: 1989 Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys Bill Bates gets ball stripped from him

Doug Mills / AP Photo

If you look at the notable players listed, it’s hard to believe they make up one of the worst teams in NFL history. But in Johnson’s first season as an NFL coach, and Aikman’s rookie campaign, the Cowboys were terrible after selecting him No. 1 overall out of UCLA in that year’s draft.

They started 0-8 and were shut out three times. Their lone victory was a 13-3 win against Washington. The failures were short-lived, though, as Dallas quickly built a core that won consecutive Super Bowls in 1993 and ’94.

8. 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen

Gail Burton / AP Photo

Coach: Doug Marrone

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 306/492 (-186)

Notable Players: 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars

Myles Jack

Gary McCullough / AP Photo

QB Gardner Minshew, RB James Robinson, WR DJ Chark, LB Joe Schobert, LB Myles Jack, DE Dawaune Smoot

Bottom Line: 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry makes catch against Joe Schobert

Alex Gallardo / AP Photo

The 2020 Jaguars surprised the playoff-bound Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, coming from behind for a 27-20 win, but then they lost 15 straight games to close the season. The Jaguars were rarely competitive in that span, with just two of their 15 losses coming by one score or fewer.

Adding insult to injury, longtime running back Leonard Fournette, who was cut by Jacksonville just before the start of the season, went on to win the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

7. 1980 New Orleans Saints

A spectator yawns while another wears bag over head

Bill Haber / AP Photo

Coaches: Dick Nolan, Dick Stanfel

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 291/487 (-196)

Notable Players: 1980 New Orleans Saints

Archie Manning

Saints / Twitter

QB Archie Manning, RB Jimmy Rogers, WR Wes Chandler, DT Derland Moore, S Tom Myers, LB Ken Bordelon

Bottom Line: 1980 New Orleans Saints

Dick Stanfel yells

Alex Barkoff / AP Photo

The 1980 season was the height of the “Aints” era in New Orleans when fans invented the practice of wearing bags on their heads.

The Saints started 0-14 — they fired Nolan after their 27-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 — and their only win was a come-from-behind, one-point victory over the lowly Jets in Week 15.

6. 1991 Indianapolis Colts

Eric Dickerson getting tackled

NETCampbell / Twitter

Coaches: Ron Meyer, Rick Venturi

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 143/381 (-238)

Notable Players: 1991 Indianapolis Colts

Jeff George

TheNewQBClub / Twitter

QB Jeff George, RB Eric Dickerson, WR Bill Brooks, WR Jesse Hester, LB Jeff Herod, LB Duane Bickett

Bottom Line: 1991 Indianapolis Colts

A lonely fan in stands

Stephen Sevoia / AP Photo

Jeff George’s highly anticipated sophomore season resulted in the worst offensive team in the history of the modern NFL.

The Colts averaged fewer than 10 points per game, were shut out twice and only topped 20 points on two occasions — including their lone win, a one-point victory at the New York Jets in Week 11.

Meyer was fired after a 0-5 start and never coached in the NFL or college football again.

5. 2009 St. Louis Rams

Rich Incognito sits on field dejected

Wade Payne / AP Photo

Coach: Steve Spagnuolo

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 175/436 (-261)

Notable Players: 2009 St. Louis Rams

James Butler

Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson, WR Donnie Avery, DE Leonard Little, LB James Laurinaitis, S James Butler

Bottom Line: 2009 St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams' David Roach watches game from bench

Ross Franklin / AP Photo

The Rams somehow were the worst team in football despite having a 1,400-yard rusher in Jackson, but they had by far the worst offense in the game and the second-worst defense in points allowed in Spagnuolo’s first year as coach.

The 1-15 season wasn’t a complete loss, though, as it enabled the Rams to take Sam Bradford with the top pick in the 2010 draft.

4. 1990 New England Patriots

New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan grimaces after being hit by Philadelphia Eagles Wes Hopkins

Amy Sancetta / AP Photo

Coach: Rod Rust

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 181/446 (-265)

Notable Players: 1990 New England Patriots

Irving Fryar

Scott Maguire / AP Photo

QB Marc Wilson, RB John Stephens, WR Irving Fryar, LB Andre Tippett, NT Tim Goad, CB Maurice Hurst

Bottom Line: 1990 New England Patriots

New England Patriots' quarterback Steve Grogan tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Wes Hopkins

Amy Sancetta / AP Photo

Rust’s lone season as coach was a disaster, highlighted by an inept offense, a Swiss cheese defense and even a sexual harassment suit from one of the team’s beat reporters.

The Patriots started the season 1-1, and could’ve been unbeaten if not for a 15-point blown lead against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, but were outscored 406-141 during their 14-game losing streak.

3. 2016 Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler sacked by Lawrence Timmons

Ron Schwane / AP Photo

Coach: Hue Jackson

Record: 1-15

Points for/against: 264/452 (-188)

Notable Players: 2016 Cleveland Browns

Joe Haden

Ron Schwane / AP Photo

QB Cody Kessler, RB Isaiah Crowell, WR Terrelle Pryor, CB Joe Haden, LB Christian Kirksey

Bottom Line: 2016 Cleveland Browns

New York Jets running back Matt Forte breaks away from Cleveland Browns' Joe Haden

The 2016 Cleveland Browns had one of the worst records in NFL history. Ron Schwane / AP Photo

The case could be made that the 2016 Browns were actually worse than the 2017 team that went winless (don’t worry, they’re next), but they landed just behind due to five one-score losses, including two in overtime.

Cleveland avoided the dubious 0, thanks to a three-point win against the San Diego Chargers in Week 16.

2. 2017 Cleveland Browns

Second worst NFL team, the 2017 Cleveland Browns

Keith Srakocic / AP Photo

Coach: Hue Jackson

Record: 0-16

Points for/against: 234/410 (-176)

Notable Players: 2017 Cleveland Browns

Josh Gordon

Jason Behnken / AP Photo

QB DeShone Kizer, RB Isaiah Crowell, WR Josh Gordon, TE David Njoku, CB Jason McCourty, LB Joe Schobert

Bottom Line: 2017 Cleveland Browns

DeShone Kizer fumbles ball

John Cordes / AP Photo

If not for their Christmas Eve win in 2016, the Browns would’ve been the only team in modern NFL history to go winless in consecutive seasons. There’s no doubt 2017 was a bottoming out point.

The Browns finished worst in the league in points for and second-worst in points against (trailing only the 4-12 Texans). Somehow Jackson retained his job after going 1-31 between the two seasons.

1. 2008 Detroit Lions

All-time worst NFL team in history

Detroit Lions’ Jon Kitna gets tackled. Paul Sancya / AP Photo

Coach: Rod Marinelli

Worst NFL Record Ever: 0-16

Points for/against: 268/517 (-249)

Notable Players: 2008 Detroit Lions

Ernie Sims

Paul Sancya / AP Photo

QB Daunte Culpepper, WR Calvin Johnson, RB Kevin Smith LB Paris Lenon, LB Ernie Sims

Bottom Line: 2008 Detroit Lions

Fan gestures during game

Paul Sancya / AP Photo

The 2008 Lions were the first team to go winless in a 16-game season, and they did so in spectacular fashion.

Only five of their 16 games were within one score, including their two-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings in which quarterback Dan Orlovsky famously ran out of the end zone untouched.

Marinelli was fired after the season and has not been a head coach since.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Archie Manning. Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Every year there are bad teams in the NFL, but these are the worst of the worst.

Fans of the Rams, Browns and Lions may want to avert their eyes to avoid any PTSD-like flashbacks. But there’s a wide assortment of dreadful clubs led by bad coaches and doomed by shoddy quarterback play and abysmal defenses.

The NFL may be going to a 17-game schedule starting in 2021, but it’s time to look back and acknowledge the worst since they last changed the annual slate. These are the 30 worst NFL teams since the league changed from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

40. 1995 New York Jets

New York Jets coach Rich Kotite doesn't want to be the worst

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Coach: Rich Kotite

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 233/384 (-151)

Notable Players: 1995 New York Jets

New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

QB Boomer Esiasion, RB Adrian Murrell, KR/PR Dexter Carter, DB Victor Green, LB Mo Lewis

Bottom Line: 1995 New York Jets

Jets defenders tackling Marshall Faulk

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

The New York Jets fired Pete Carroll after the 1994 season and brought in Rich Kotite, who led the team to a 3-13 record — the team’s worst record since going 3-11 in 1977.

The Jets actually grabbed a piece of NFL history in 1995 when they became the first team to lose a regular-season game to the expansion Carolina Panthers.

39. 1994 Washington Redskins

NFL Teams: Washington Redskins receiver Henry Ellard

Doug Mills / AP Photo

Coach: Norv Turner

Record: 3-13

Points for/against: 320/412 (-92)