Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and the 10 Unluckiest Franchises in NFL

The NFL is riddled with horrible teams year-in and year-out. Coincidentally enough, the same 10 teams have found themselves as the laughing stocks of the league for the past decade or more.

These select franchises are simply unlucky. They're unlucky because of injuries to key players, unlucky because of horrible management, or simply unlucky enough to play in the same division as Aaron Rodgers.

These are the teams that make players in the draft cringe when it's their turn to select. The prospects simply hold their breath in the hope that the team will make another horrible decision and pass on them.

Free agents avoid these cities like the plague and even the diehard fans know there will be no consistent success outside of a fluke winning season once a decade.

These are the 10 unluckiest franchises in the NFL:

Follow @Chris_Roling

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are a rare case on this list in that they may be working their way off the list. The Texans made the playoffs this season, but that's the main reason they are so unlucky.

Sure, the Texans made the playoffs this season for the first time in franchise history, along with the first AFC South crown in history, but it came at a huge cost.

Starting quarterback Matt Schaub went down with a season-ending injury while the Texans had all but locked up a playoff spot. Backup Matt Leinart was lost for the season as well, leaving third-string rookie T.J. Yates to lead the Texans limping into the playoffs.

The Texans managed to beat a fluky Bengals team, but the train stops there. Since the Texans' inception, the franchise has gone 65-95 with one postseason appearance.

The Texans seem to be working their way off this list, but given the Texans' history, it's doubtful.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions made the playoffs this year, but it doesn't matter. Detroit is arguably the worst franchise in the NFL, and holds the prestigious honor of an 0-16 season.The Lions exited the postseason with their heads down after being embarrassed by the New Orleans Saints 45-28.

The Lions have never appeared in a Super Bowl, and haven't had a postseason victory in 20 years. Horrible management combined with unlucky drafting and free agent acquisitions has made the Lions the joke of the league for some time.

Things are looking up in Detroit, but it is simply a facade. The Lions play in the same division as the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers and Lions' management doesn't have the ability to build a better team than the Pack.

The Lions are a nice story, but don't be surprised Detroit doesn't win a playoff game for another 20 years.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals may appear to be changing, but nothing will change when a franchise is unlucky enough to have Mike Brown as an owner.

The Bengals haven't won a playoff game in 21 years, and have three winning seasons in that same time span. This is all directly a result of owner Mike Brown continuing to be a stubborn old buffoon who won't change the way he operates his franchise.

Even when the Bengals have a good season it's a bad thing. When Cincinnati made the playoffs in 2005 quarterback Carson Palmer had a career-altering injury. At the time Palmer was in competition with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for being named the best quarterback in the league.

The Bengals made the postseason this year, but it won't matter. When Andy Dalton and A.J. Green's contracts expire they will walk in a similar fashion to Jonathan Joseph because owner Mike Brown is too cheap to pay players what they deserve.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills participated in four straight Super Bowls - and lost them all. If that's not unlucky, then it's hard to define what is. Since that amazing stretch the Bills haven't done anything as a franchise except be good comic relief whenever they step on the field.

Take this year for example. Early in the season the Bills looked like one of the best teams in the league and rewarded quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with a massive contract extension. After the extension the team imploded and finished the season at 6-10.

The Bills have management issues at the top and continue to draft horribly. Admittedly, the fan base is amazing, but unfortunately for that group, they are unlucky enough to be loyal to one of the biggest running jokes in the NFL.

Things don't appear to be changing anytime soon in Buffalo.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are coming off of a 4-12 season. The Browns have never appeared in a Super Bowl and haven't won a playoff game in 17 years. Things won't change in Cleveland anytime soon.

While the extremely dedicated fan base is always overly-optimistic for a new season, the team always finds a way to blow it. Whether it's self-serving players, horrible injuries or a curious outbreak of staph infections, one things for sure - it doesn't get more unlucky than being a fan of the Browns.

If NFL Draft prospects had to answer truthfully what one team they would rather retire prematurely than play for - it would be the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns will never be able to land an above-average free agent, and the majority of their draft picks seem to just go through the motions before bolting for another team.

If you want to find the definition of the Browns in a dictionary, look up the word "unlucky."

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs can't seem to catch a break. One of the more talented rosters in the league was absolutely decimated by injuries this past season, which led to another typical Chiefs ending.

The Chiefs haven't had a playoff victory in 18 years. Even when the Chiefs are good - they're bad. 2010 was a surprise 10-6 season that ended in an embarrassing 30-7 Wild Card round blowout at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

The Chiefs gambled in 2009 by shipping out the 34th overall pick in the draft to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Matt Cassel. The Chiefs proceeded to sign him to a $62.7 million contract. Now his future with the Chiefs is in doubt.

Kansas City has one of the more impressive stadiums in all of football in Arrowhead Stadium. That and beating the Green Bay Packers this season to prevent a 16-0 season is all Chiefs fans really have to be happy about.

The road ahead for the Chiefs is a long and uneventful one.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals reached the Super Bowl recently, but that doesn't mean it has been a consistent event. In fact, the Cardinals haven't won a championship in 63 years.

The Cardinals finished 8-8 this season, something Arizona fans should be used to by now. The team struggles to compete in an atrocious division, and winning it isn't something fans should be ecstatic about.

The Cardinals can't seem to luck out when it matters. After struggling to find a franchise quarterback the team went for broke and traded corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round pick for Eagles' backup Kevin Kolb. Kolb proceeded to play in only seven games and throw five touchdowns and four interceptions while looking mightily uncomfortable in a new offensive system.

The Cardinals' most memorable win from last season came from an opposing coach icing his own kicker. Seems they have a tiny bit of luck. Overall, the Cardinals will have a hard time finding their way off this list.

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins can't seem to garner up enough luck to win in the NFC East. Coming off of a 5-11 season, the Redskins aren't in a position to leave this list anytime soon.

Consistently being the doormat of the best division in football is as bad as it gets. The Redskins and owner Dan Snyder have a record of spending big money in free agency despite the winning formula that is building through the draft.

The Redskins have won three Super Bowls, but recently the franchise has been a joke. Off the field issues combined with horrible management have continued to set the franchise back for years.

Luck can't save the franchise from itself, and the Redskins will make this list annually until something changes at the top.

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders haven't made the playoffs in nine seasons. The Raiders have a prestigious history, but recent history hasn't been kind to the players and fans. The Raiders have failed to compete in one of the worst divisions and football and have enjoyed a never-ending coaching carousel.

At 8-8 this past season the Raiders missed the playoffs yet again. The Raiders broke the bank to obtain disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals' quarterback Carson Palmer and Palmer proceeded to throw 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Raiders fans love to put the blame on recently-deceased owner Al Davis, but the Raiders are just unlucky. Injuries decimated the roster this past season and Hue Jackson was simply not qualified for a head coaching position.

The Raiders have the potential to turn things around, but right now luck isn't on their side.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars went 5-11 last season in what was a weakened division. That record is something Jaguars fans are all too used to expecting from the team.

The Jaguars entered the league in 1995 as an expansion team and have a mediocre overall record of 138-131. A perfect example of how dysfunctional the Jaguars are would be when management thought it would be a great idea to cut starting quarterback David Garrard days before the season opener.

Instead of allowing first round pick Blaine Gabbert to learn from the bench the team decided to throw him to the wolves. Decisions like these combine with horrible luck are the main reason the Jags can't fill their own stadium or get a dedicated fan base that actually cares.

Don't be surprised to see the Jags make this list for years to come.