The NFL’s Most Embarrassing Franchises: A Legacy of Disappointment
When it comes to NFL franchises, there are a few that stand out as perpetual laughingstocks. The Jets, Giants, and Bears are often at the top of this list, with the Raiders occasionally making an appearance. But what sets these teams apart from the rest?
A Look Back at Week 17’s Disappointments
Let’s start with the most recent disappointments. In Week 17, the Jets’ Raheem Morris made a critical mistake, failing to call a timeout and reposition his team, leading to a quick and disappointing performance. Meanwhile, the Falcons’ Dan Quinn made a questionable decision on 2nd and 10, which could have changed the outcome of the game.
The Giants’ Drew Lock, on the other hand, played statistically the best quarterback performance in Giants history, dropping their chances of getting the #1 draft pick from 63% to 3%. This is a stark reminder that sometimes, a team’s fortunes can change quickly.
Historical Context: When Winning Isn’t Always a Good Thing
Looking back at past seasons, there are examples of teams that won in Week 17, only to miss out on the #1 draft pick. The 2006 Lions, for instance, won their final game and ended up with the #2 pick, which they used to select Calvin Johnson. On the other hand, the 1997 Cardinals won their final game, only to miss out on the chance to draft Peyton Manning.
The Bears’ Prime Time Struggles
The Bears have a dismal record in prime time games, with a 4-13 record in their last 17 games. Their lack of statement wins has left fans feeling frustrated and disappointed. Even their few victories have been lackluster, with one win coming against the Commanders’ Sam Howell.
The Falcons’ Goal-to-Go Fail
In a bizarre statistic, the Falcons became the 26th team to attempt a goal-to-go play from the 26-yard line in the play-by-play era. While they ultimately scored a touchdown, the fact that this occurred on Sunday Night Football is a strange coincidence.
As the season comes to a close, it’s clear that these franchises have a long way to go before they can shake off their reputations as laughingstocks. One more week remains, and fans can only hope that their teams will finally turn things around.
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