With the 2008 Detroit Lions going 0-16 this year, everyone is asking, "Are the Lions the worst team of all time?".
To find out, SportSims.net, an online dynasty football franchise sim, simulated an entire season with each NFL franchise’s worst team to crown the “Stupor Bowl I” Champion. Each historical team, from the 1961 Washington Redskins to the 2008 Detroit Lions, played a full simulated season using the NFL’s 2008 schedule and SportSims.net’s technologically advanced SimEngine.
Here’s how it works: Teams with the worst record for each NFL franchise play this year’s schedule. Teams with the worst records move on to the playoffs. The losers from each of those playoff games advance toward the Stupor Bowl where the loser of that game is crowned the Stupor Bowl Champion, and worst team of all time.
NFC EAST SimRecord Pct
‘89 Cowboys (1-15) 10- 6 .625
’61 Redskins (1-12-1) 9- 7 .562
’66 Giants (1-12-1) 8- 8 .500
’72 Eagles (2-11-1) 7- 9 .438
NFC North SimRecord Pct
’86 Packers (4-12) 10- 6 .625
’69 Bears (1-13) 10- 6 .625
’08 Lions (0-16) 5- 11 .312
’84 Vikings (3-13) 5- 11 .312
NFC South SimRecord Pct
’01 Panthers (1-15) 13- 3 .812
’80 Saints (1-15) 9- 7 .562
’67 Falcons (1-12-1) 6- 10 .375
’76 Buccaneers (0-14) 4- 12 .250
NFC West SimRecord Pct
’62 Rams (1-12-1) 12- 4 .750
’04 49ers (2-14) 9- 7 .562
’92 Seahawks (2-14) 8- 8 .500
’00 Cardinals (3-13) 6- 10 .375
AFC EAST SimRecord Pct
’07 Dolphins (1-15) 9- 7 .562
’96 Jets (1-15) 9- 7 .562
’71 Bills (1-13) 7- 9 .438
’90 Patriots (1-15) 5- 11 .312
AFC North SimRecord Pct
’02 Bengals (2-14) 11- 5 .688
’96 Ravens (4-12) 11- 5 .688
’69 Steelers (1-13) 6- 10 .375
’99 Browns (2-14) 6- 10 .375
AFC South SimRecord Pct
’91 Colts (1-15) 10- 6 .625
’72 Oilers (1-13) 7- 9 .438
’05 Texans (2-14) 7- 9 .438
’95 Jaguars (4-12) 6- 10 .375
AFC West SimRecord Pct
’62 Raiders (1-13) 11- 5 .688
’61 Broncos (3-11) 9- 7 .562
’00 Chargers (1-15) 8- 8 .500
’77 Chiefs (2-12) 3- 13 .188
With the worst records, the ’76 Bucs (#1 seed), ’84 Vikings (#2 seed), ’00 Cardinals (#3 seed), ’72 Eagles (#4 seed), ’08 Lions (#5 seed), ’67 Falcons (#6 seed), ’77 Chiefs (#1 seed), ’90 Patriots (#2 seed), ’99 Browns (#3 seed), ’95 Jaguars (#4 seed), ’69 Steelers (#5 seed), and the ’71 Bills (#6 seed) make the playoffs, with the ’76 Bucs and the ’71 Bills emerging to play in the Stupor Bowl. In a complete shutout (24-0), the Buccaneers lose the game and capture the Stupor Bowl I Championship.
Stupor Season Playoff Results
Wild Card Round
‘67 Falcons 23
‘00 Cardinals 28
‘71 Bills 20
‘99 Browns 22
‘08 Lions 24
‘72 Eagles 30
‘69 Steelers 21
‘95 Jaguars 17
Divisional Round
‘67 Falcons 17
‘76 Buccaneers 7
‘71 Bills 3
‘77 Chiefs 28
‘95 Jaguars 24
‘90 Patriots 26
‘08 Lions 19
‘84 Vikings 34
Championship Games
‘08 Lions 17
‘76 Buccaneers 10
‘71 Bills 19
‘95 Jaguars 34
Stupor Bowl I
‘76 Buccaneers 0
‘71 Bills 24
"Although the '08 Lions made it to the championship game, they still can't capture the worst team title," said Steve Olson of SportSims.net.
In the Stupor Bowl game, the Bucs’ Steve Spurrier was 7 of 32 (21.8%) for 96 yards and one interception. In his 3rd year in the league, Bills’ running back O.J. Simpson led in rushing attempts with 28 for 63 yards and one catch for six yards and a touchdown. The Bills’ defense topped the Bucs with five sacks and one interception.
Historically, the ’76 Bucs were the first ever NFL team to have a winless season and they hadn’t scored a single point until their third game of the season. The ’76 Bucs also hold the NFL record for most consecutive games lost, 26, and now they are SportSims.net’s first Stuper Bowl I Champion.
“I think this puts to bed any question about which team is the worst team of all time,” said David Holt of SportSims.net.
“The 2008 Lions are off the hook.”
