Things are starting to get back to normal in the NFL. The Colts won a game at home, the Raiders have an interim head puppet, er...coach, and the Bengals and Lions are winless.
Last season, we finally saw a team go 16-0 in the regular season, but we have never seen a team run it in reverse and complete an 0-16 campaign.
Several teams, including last year's 1-15 Miami Dolphins, have flirted with perfect imperfection, but all have been able to avoid it.
This season presents two candidates: the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions.
While I do not think that either of these teams will finish the season without a victory, here are three reasons why each team might finish winless:
Cincinnati Bengals
1. The inmates run the asylum
With all the arrests over the past couple of seasons and the re-admittance of Chris Henry to the franchise, it seems that they players have more control than the coaches in Cincinnati.
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2. Questions about Carson Palmer
Palmer has missed the past two games due to injury and he has been largely ineffective when he has played. In four games this season, he has a rating of 69.0 and has thrown more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three).
3. Running Woes
Not only can the Bengals not run the ball, but they can't stop it either. They are getting outgained on the ground by more than a 2:1 margin.
Detroit Lions
1. Ghost of Matt Millen
Matt Millen may be gone but his team is still here. A team built on flashy wide receivers will not stand. The Lions have two of the best in the league in Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, and that's about it. They don't have a franchise quarterback or a player around which to build a defense.
2. Schedule
Of the remaining games, only one is against a team with a winning record. They play the 1-4 Houston Texans on the road next week. Detroit must play teams such as Washington, Jacksonville, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, and New Orleans. They will likely be at least a touchdown underdog to each one.
3. Margin of Defeat
Before losing the Minnesota 12-10 in Week Six, Detroit lost its previous four games by margins of 13, 23, 18, and 27. That's ugly.
And the team more likely to go winless is...
Detroit Lions.
They have, hand-down, the worst defense in the league. They rank 31st in points allowed, 32nd in yards allowed, 30th in pass yards allowed, and 31st in run yards allowed. Their average time of possession is less than 26 minutes per game.
At least the Bengals have been competitive. They took the Giants to overtime and were within nine points of Dallas. They do get a chance to play Cleveland again and will battle almost equally inept Kansas City in Week 17.
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about 1 month ago
I dont know about this. The Lions probably do have a better chance of not winning but it won't be because of defense. Defense kept them in the game against Minnesota defiantly not the offense. Granted so did the Referees but come on. Also after pre-season due to the stout 4-0 the Lions went with the defense leading the charge, watching sportscenter some analyst picked them to possibly sneak in at 8-8 or 9-7. The defensive play in there first 4 games was abysmal yes but the game against the Vikings was the defense that showed there face in the pre-season. The announcers during the game even pointed out that this was the lions team that they expected to see all season except with the lack of offensive play because of the new start at quarterback. The Lions do have a better chance to go 0-16 and i'm a big fan of them Lions born and true since age 2 but come on, defense kept them ahead and in that game. If it wasn't for 3 stupid calls by the refs we may be talking about a resurgence of the Detroit Lions in the NFC north because of there first win.
about 1 month ago
The pass interference at the end was nonsense. The coverage was perfect. But it appeared to me that the Lions' defense was more lucky than good. Peterson fumbled the ball twice in Lions' territory, including once inside the five. Frerotte had nearly 300 yards passing and Peterson had over 100 running.
I hope the Lions don't go 0-16. I couldn't wish that upon any fan base.
20 days ago
I think it's the Bengals to go 0-16 because they really don't have a QB or RB. Or anything, for that matter lol
from 18 days ago
Thanks for replying, Isaac. When I wrote the article a few weeks ago, Carson Palmer wasn't on IR. That increases their chances of going winless.
from 18 days ago
Yeah the Lions have a semi-decent qb and a couple capabale backs, so i see em going 3-13 instead of 0-16.
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