Are the 2008 Detroit Lions the Worst NFL Team in NFL History?

via bleacherreport.com

<!-- TOKEN_1227911050421_TOKEN -->

<!-- TOKEN_1227911044984_TOKEN -->

<!-- TOKEN_1227911038328_TOKEN -->

The Detroit Lions lost again on Thanksgiving Day. They are now 0-12 for the season.  However, are the Detroit Lions the worst team in NFL history?  There has also been NFL teams in that past that had horrendous seasons. For example, the 1976 Tampa Buccaneers, 1990 New England Patriots, 1991 Indianapolis Colts and 2001 Carolina Panthers all had horrible seasons.

First, the Detroit Lions are having one of the worst seasons ever. They have played 12 games this year and lost all of them. One of their main problems is the defense which is ranked 31st in the NFL. The only team that is worst defensively is the Kansas City Chiefs. "Likewise, they are dead last in the amount of points they allowed per game at 32.8 points per game" (nfl.com). The defensive issue could be seen on their last game against the Titans when both running backs Chris Johnson and Lendale White ran circles around the defense. The running backs ended the game totaling 231 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.  They actually almost won a few games this year to. However, three times in November they blew their lead and let their opponent come back to beat them.

There have been other teams in the history of the NFL that had equally bad and possibly worst seasons. The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished their season 0-14. The offense was so bad that they were shutout five times in that season. The Buccaneers averaged less then nine points per game that season. "The defense was equally bad their average margin of defeat was 20 points per game" (www.profootballreference.com). Likewise, the 1990 New England Patriots were 1-15 for the season. They had one of the worst offenses in NFL history in five games they scored only one touchdown or less. They were winless at home that year. Similarly, the 1991 Indianapolis Colts had a year to forget the season ending record was 1-15. "One of the teams many issues was their offense that set a NFL record for fewest points (143) and fewest TD (14) in a 16 game season" (www.profootballreference.com). They scored less then 6 points in 9 games that season.         

All things considered, the lions are a very bad team and their having a horrendous season. But, I do not believe that they are the worst team ever. The 1976 Buccaneers, 1990 Patriots and Indianapolis Colts all had worst seasons then the Detroit Lions. For example, the Detroit Lions were never shut out in any games like those teams were during their NFL seasons. The Lions also haven’t finished the season yet so they could win a couple games this year.

via thesportshernia.typepad.com

                                                            Works Cited

 < http://www.nfl.com/stats/team>

<http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1976.htm?redir>

< http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/1990.htm>

<http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1991.htm>