The NFL is a highly competitive league where only one team can win the Super Bowl each season. Unfortunately, for a handful of franchises, the past two decades have been filled with disappointment and poor on-field performance. This article will explore the worst NFL franchises of the last 20 years and how many games they have lost during that period.
The Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders have had a tough time being competitive in the league. With disappointed records, unhappy fans, and a disgruntled front office, these teams have struggled with instability within their organizations and friction between the coaching staff and players.
The Cleveland Browns have been one of the worst-performing teams in recent years, losing a total of 222 games in the past two decades. Their worst season came in 2017 when they went winless with a record of 0-16. They became the first team in NFL history to have consecutive seasons with 15 or more losses. The Browns have had six head coaching changes since 2001.
The Detroit Lions have lost 216 games in the past 20 years, with their worst season coming in 2008 when they went 0-16. Their defense set a franchise record for points given up during a season, allowing 517 points that year. Their defense gave up an average of 32 points per game, making them the third-worst defensive unit in NFL history since the 1960s. The Lions have had six head coaching changes since 2001.
The Las Vegas Raiders, formerly based in Oakland, have lost a total of 211 games over the past two decades. Their worst season came in 2006 when they went 2-14. Despite having one of the best defenses in the league, the team struggled on offense, scoring just 10.5 points per game, the fifth-lowest in league history across a whole regular season. The Raiders have had 12 head coaching changes since 2001.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost 211 games in the last two decades and had their worst season in 2020 when they went 1-15. They had the worst record of the season, earning them the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which they used to select current franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars have had seven head coaching changes since 2001.
The Washington Commanders, previously known as the Redskins and then the Football Team, have lost 198 games in the past two decades. Their worst seasons came in 2013 and 2019, with each season resulting in a record of 3-13. Despite firing their head coach in 2019, the team finished the season with just three victories. The Commanders have had seven head coaching changes since 2001 and have undergone more name changes than any other NFL franchise in the past two decades.
In conclusion, these five franchises have experienced prolonged disappointment on the field, which has caused instability within their organizations and a disconnect between coaches and players. Despite their struggles, these teams continue to strive to improve and become competitive in the league.
