There have been four NFL teams that have failed to win a single game in the Super Bowl era. We witnessed two in this millennium: the 2017 Cleveland Browns and 2008 Detroit Lions. Both went 0-16. The NFL betting lines have a handful of teams with a decent shot to join this dubious club. But we list (with their 0-17 odds) when these teams have their best shot at winning.
The (Likely) First Win for fhe Worst NFL Teams
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Houston Texans (+1400)
A bet online on the Houston Texans to finish the 2022 season without a win pays at 14-1. This is pretty short considering Houston’s not-too-difficult schedule. After all, these Texans won four more games than they were expected to last season and went 8-8 against the spread (ATS) as an underdog.
Houston’s biggest offseason improvement was ridding itself of Deshaun Watson and his mess. That could clear the air in the locker room and maybe improve this team’s success. We won’t hold our breath although Houston has a solid chance to get on the win column as early as Week 3 when they travel to Soldier Field against another team on this list.
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- Prediction: Houston wins against Chicago in Week 3
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Atlanta Falcons (+2000)
At these online sports betting odds, the Atlanta Falcons are a better bet to finish winless ahead of the Texans. This is a team that had one of the three worst defenses in 2021 and will be without their two best offensive players from last season. Marcus Mariota may still be a starting-caliber quarterback but he is as brittle as the Falcons’ offensive line is terrible.
The Falcons also play a tough schedule — the ninth-hardest in the NFL actually. Still, this team plays in the same division as the Carolina Panthers and will visit the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Between the two, beating Carolina at home is more feasible.
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- Prediction: Atlanta wins against Carolina in Week 8
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New York Jets (+3300)
We, like many hopelessly optimistic New York Jets fans, would like to believe this year’s team is a lot better. On paper, the Jets are. They made plenty of improvements on both sides of the ball and quarterback Zach Wilson should improve in his sophomore season. The Jets also have a manageable schedule, especially after their Week 10 bye.
But Jets fans won’t have to wait that long to get a win. The Jets visit the Browns and Steelers in Weeks 2 and 4, respectively, and then they host the Dolphins in Week 5. Expect New York to be a slight underdog in these matchups at worst. Of these three, beating the Browns sounds most promising.
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- Prediction: The Jets win against Cleveland in Week 2
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Carolina Panthers (+3300)
While most of us can’t look past the Carolina Panthers’ massive black hole at quarterback, this team has plenty of positive things going for it. The defense, for one, is bolstered with the return of Jaycee Horn and the arrival of C.J. Henderson. The offensive line has also been upgraded and Christian McCaffrey should be healthier.
A lot of things will have to go well for Carolina to go over its 5½ regular-season win totals. It can start by beating the Browns in its home opener or the Giants in Week 2. Should they fail to do both, they host the Falcons in Week 10 and visit Seattle in Week 14. But let’s fade Cleveland twice because they suck.
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- Prediction: Carolina wins against Cleveland in Week 1
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Chicago Bears (+4000)
Between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks at 40-1 to go 0-17, we like Chicago’s odds better. This team is a mess and Justin Fields is yet another Bears quarterback that will crash and burn thanks to mismanagement. Chicago has a new coaching staff meaning Fields and the team will start all over again.
The offensive line remains suspect and the defense lost its best player in Khalil Mack among others. Chicago has the easiest schedule of every team on this list thanks to playing teams like Houston (Week 3), the Giants (Week 4), and Detroit (Weeks 10 and 17) twice. Peg Chicago to upset the Giants when all the NFL predictions write them off after starting 0-3.
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- Prediction: Chicago wins against the Giants in Week 4
