Worst Teams in NFL: Biggest Disappointments That Fumbled the Ball
These Epic Team Failures Crumbled Under Pressure
The NFL has seen its fair share of ups and downs, where promising teams have soared to great heights only to plummet to unexpected lows. Here, we explore a series of seasons with the worst teams in NFL, losers which left fans and experts scratching their heads.
1977 St. Louis Cardinals 
In the 70s, the Cardinals soared, winning the NFC East twice and challenging the Cowboys. Led by Don Coryell, they notched three consecutive 10-win seasons from ’74 to ’76. But in ’77, the cart tipped, and they lost their final four games, ending at 7-7. Coryell’s messy divorce with the team owner didn’t help, and their high-powered offense lost its spark. The Cards didn’t see the playoffs again until 1998, long after their move to Arizona.
1995 Miami Dolphins 
The ’94 AFC championship miss fueled high expectations for the Dolphins in ’95. They loaded up in Don Shula’s final year, but despite a 4-0 start, they finished 9-7 and barely secured a wild-card spot. They were even favored for the AFC title, but Shula’s legendary career ended with a 15-point loss in Buffalo.
1987 Los Angeles Raiders 
Bo Jackson’s arrival and star-studded roster, including Howie Long and Marcus Allen, brought hope to the ’87 Raiders. However, they stumbled to a 5-10 record, mainly due to quarterback troubles. Both Jim Plunkett’s retirement and Rusty Hilger’s ineffectiveness left the Raiders in disarray.
1983 New York Jets 
After two consecutive playoff appearances, the Jets were Super Bowl contenders in ’83. However, injuries, including one to star running back Freeman McNeil, plagued them, and they slumped to 7-9. The decision to pick Ken O’Brien over Dan Marino in the ’83 draft added to the disappointment.
1979 Baltimore Colts 
Bert Jones’ MVP season in ’76 raised expectations, but shoulder injuries in ’78 and ’79 derailed his career. The Colts finished 5-11 in ’79 and never made the NFL playoffs in Baltimore again.
2017 New York Giants 
After an 11-5 season in 2016, the Giants were Super Bowl contenders. However, they plummeted to 3-13 in 2017, partly due to Odell Beckham Jr.’s NFL injury and a struggling defense. The NFL season led to the firing of the GM and head coach.
2000 Jacksonville Jaguars 
In a quirky NFL season with 31 teams, the Jags faced tough defenses in the Baltimore Ravens and Titans and fell to 7-9 despite going 14-2 the previous year. Injuries took a toll, and their NFL playoff hopes vanished.
2004 Kansas City Chiefs 
Despite a potent offense, the Chiefs couldn’t fix their defense. A 3-8 start led to a disappointing 7-9 finish, ending their playoff dreams.
2008 Dallas Cowboys 
After a 13-3 season in 2007, the Cowboys stumbled to 9-7 in 2008, marred by a late-season collapse and locker room issues.
2010 San Diego Chargers 
Despite a strong offense, the Chargers‘ poor special teams play doomed them, and they finished 9-7, missing the NFL playoffs for the first time in years.
1998 Kansas City Chiefs
Again. Marty Schottenheimer’s Chiefs, known for their rock-solid defense, took a nosedive from the top defensive ranking in 1997 to 22nd in 1998. Despite notable signings like Chester McGlockton and Leslie O’Neal, the defense couldn’t replace the void left by Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith.
Starting strong at 4-1, they plummeted with six consecutive losses, culminating in an ugly Monday-night defeat marked by a personal-foul spree. The Chiefs ended the season at 7-9, and it was a turning point at quarterback, choosing Elvis Grbac over future MVP Rich Gannon.
1981 Cleveland Browns 
Despite being defending AFC Central champs with an NFL MVP in their midst (Brian Sipe), the Kardiac Kids of 1980 couldn’t recapture the magic. Slumping to a 5-11 record, the Browns‘ offense struggled, ranking 23rd in scoring.
Sipe led the league in interceptions, and the team ended the season with a disastrous 10-turnover game against the Seattle Seahawks. This marked the end of an era as the core of the team began to disperse.
2019 Cleveland Browns
Once again, the Browns had high hopes after the Odell Beckham Jr. trade but faced disappointment. The promotion of Freddie Kitchens backfired as the NFL team stats regressed to 6-10.
Dysfunction reigned, highlighted by Myles Garrett’s infamous helmet swing and Kitchens’ ill-advised T-shirt choice. OBJ’s struggles and eventual departure further revealed the cracks in the Mayfield-Cleveland foundation.
1990 Minnesota Vikings 
In their first full Herschel Walker season, the Vikings finished 6-10. Despite a strong defense in previous years, the team struggled in 1990. Keith Millard’s ACL injury and Walker’s underwhelming performance led to their downfall. Starting 1-5, they set the stage for the Cowboys’ dynasty with their draft position.
2013 Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins) 
Although expectations were moderate, 2013 was a pivotal year for Washington. Robert Griffin III’s return after an ACL tear was marred by tension with the coaching staff. The team went from 10-6 to 3-13, leading to the exit of the Shanahan coaching duo. This season marked a turning point for Griffin’s career, from a franchise QB to a backup.
2001 Tennessee Titans 
Many expected the Titans to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but they ended with a disappointing 7-9 record. The defense, once dominant, fell to 25th in points allowed. Despite acquiring Kevin Carter, the Titans struggled.
Steve McNair made the Pro Bowl, but the season ended with losses to the Bengals and Browns, marking a lackluster finish to a promising year.
2003 Oakland Raiders
The aging Raiders, who had reached the Super Bowl the previous year, fell off the cart in a spectacular fashion. Rich Gannon’s MVP form in 2002 was replaced by NFL injuries in 2003, leaving the defending AFC champs at 2-5. Rick Mirer struggled to fill Gannon’s shoes, and even legends Jerry Rice and Tim Brown couldn’t salvage the season. The Raiders finished a dismal 4-12, leading to Bill Callahan’s departure and a long stretch of Raider misfortune.
1990 Los Angeles Rams 
After an NFC championship game appearance, the Rams were expected to be Super Bowl contenders. However, they crashed and burned with a worst teams in NFL 5-11 record. Despite Jim Everett’s NFL Pro Bowl season, the defense couldn’t match the previous year’s performance. The Rams’ downward spiral eventually led them out of Los Angeles.
2000 Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins)
Yep, again. Dan Snyder’s spending spree on aging superstars didn’t yield a winner. Big names like Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, and Jeff George couldn’t turn the team into a contender. Washington ended up at 8-8, marking the beginning of a challenging century for the franchise.
1990 Denver Broncos 
After a crushing Super Bowl loss, the Broncos sank to 5-11 in 1990. Injuries, legal issues, and blown leads marred their season, and the rivalry between John Elway and coach Dan Reeves took center stage. The Broncos finished with a 3-10 mark that was unheard of during the Elway era but rebounded a year later.
2010 Minnesota Vikings
Brett Favre’s third comeback didn’t lead to another Super Bowl run. Despite a strong roster, Favre’s 20th season was a far cry from his NFL MVP performance the year before. The Vikings dropped from 13-3 to 6-10, and the acquisition of Randy Moss backfired, leading to a chaotic season.
2005 Philadelphia Eagles 
Terrell Owens’ antics, including a contract dispute and driveway sit-ups, turned the defending NFC champions into a 6-10 disappointment. Despite having four Hall of Famers on the team, the Eagles struggled and eventually banished Owens midseason.
2011 Philadelphia Eagles
And… again. High expectations surrounded the Eagles in 2011 after a frenzy of offseason moves. However, the “Dream Team” fell flat, finishing 8-8 despite a roster loaded with talent. The season marked the beginning of the end for coach Andy Reid.
2002 St. Louis Rams
Kurt Warner’s NFL injury and struggles led to a shocking 7-9 season for the Rams. The “Greatest Show on Turf” offense couldn’t score, and the defense couldn’t defend. The Rams, who were expected to bounce back from a Super Bowl loss, were left searching for answers.
1995 Cleveland Browns (currently Baltimore Ravens)
The Browns were riding high after an 11-5 season in 1994 and were projected to reach Super Bowl XXX. However, Art Modell’s announcement that the team was moving to Baltimore sent the Browns into a worst teams in NFL tailspin. They went from 4-4 to 5-11, and nothing went according to plan. The franchise’s transformation into the Baltimore Ravens marked the end of an era for Cleveland football.
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