One god awful team on our list scored less points in an entire season than LaDanian Tomlinson did in 2006. Another had a quarterback who didn't know where the end zone finished, scrambling for a bizarre safety. Let's take a look at Part 1 of the five worst NFL teams in history.
5. 2007 Miami Dolphins (1-15)
The 2007 Dolphins didn't have much hope from the beginning. They stretched for Ted Ginn Jr. In the 2007 draft and selected what was supposed to be their future quarterback, draft bust John Beck.
Beck, Cleo Lemon and Trent Green all combined for only 12 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. No receiver scored multiple touchdowns. With the Dolphins 0-10, Ricky Williams returned for his first game in almost two years following a suspension for breach the NFL drug policy. Link to weed article. After rushing six times he tore a pectoral muscle and was out for the rest of the season.
Miami met the Giants for the first ever NFL game in London, not that anyone will remember considering the Dolphins season. Thankfully for the Dolphins they scored a Week 15 win over the Ravens thanks to a 64-yard touchdown pass thrown by Lemon, narrowly avoiding becoming the first team ever to finish a 16-game season winless (that would happen the very next season).
Cam Cameron was considered totally inept at coaching and was fired at seasons end. With the first pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Dolphins would select four-time Pro Bowler Jake Longwho. Tony Sparano was appointed coach and would lead the Dolphins to an 11-5 season completing the greatest single season turnaround in NFL history.
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4. 2016 Cleveland Browns (1-15)
The Browns followed up a 3-13 season in 2015 with what was their worst season ever at the time. The 2016 Browns finishing with a single win and a 1-15 record. They weren't given a chance to begin with, with what was considered one of the weakest teams in NFL history.
In true Browns' fashion, they gave up the second pick of the 2016 draft, Carson Wentz the consensus pick. Wentz went on to guide the Philadelphia Eagles to an 11-2 start in the 2017 season, Nick Foles taking over the job because of an injury to Wentz and winning Super Bowl LII.
While Wentz was setting the league alight in his rookie year, the quarterback position was a revolving door in Cleveland. The Browns rotated through five players under center during the season. Rookie Cody Kessler was one of them, the second round draft pick not the franchise cornerstone they were after. Making matters worse, Dak Prescott was drafted by the Cowboys in the fourth round.
During Week 11, Kessler would pick up a second concussion for the year and was ruled out for the season. Luckily, Robert Griffin III stepped up and 'helped' the Browns to their only win of their season in Week 16 - a zero touchdown performance in a 20-17 win over the Chargers.
The Browns were bad but they weren't a total abomination. They lost five games by a single score including, two of those games forced into overtime. Cleveland also converted the first pick of the 2017 draft into generational talent and superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett.
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All the way from the Land Down Under, I created Wolfgang Sport as I enjoy writing and watching British and American sports. Started in 2017, I started the blog as a way to connect my passion for sports in the US & UK. Sign up to the newsletter today_ and I'll prove Aussies know more about your own sports than you think.
I'll be back with Part 2 shortly!