With Detroit's Win, Who is Next to Go Winless

The lowly Detroit Lions finally won a football game, ending their 19-game losing streak with a 19-14 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. A sigh of relief has finally been allowed out in Detroit, who more than likely felt the win was on par with the Super Bowl after last season.

So now that the burden has been lifted from the Lions' shoulders, where does it fall? Keep in mind, there have only been four winless seasons in the history of the NFL, with the Lions ('08), Baltimore Colts ('82 strike-shortened), Tampa Bay Buccaneers ('76), and Dallas Cowboys ('60) being the only squads to show total ineptitude. But we need to face facts, there are a handful of 0-3 teams at this stage of the season, and it is almost fair to assess them all on a broken bubble.

That being said, we need to look at who fits the bill this year.

St. Louis Rams

Points for: 24, Points Against: 73

Qualifications:

The former Greatest Show on Turf has certainly spent its fair share of time on it. As of this writing, they rank 28^th in the NFL in total offense, having "gained" 276 yards per game, with only 158.7 of those coming by air. Having an average scoring output of 8 points per game isn't going to win you many ballgames, especially when that has come against such esteemed defenses as the Redskins, Packers, and Seahawks. Defensively against the same squads, they've given up 403.3 yards per game. Talk about being outplayed.

Chances to Win:

While things may look grim now, there is still a possibility of victory down the road. A November 1^st match-up against the Lions is a good start. Even though they won this weekend, it is still the Lions. After that, it may come down to a week 15 contest against the Houston Texans. Aside from those games, St. Louis is going to need a few favors.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

PF: 41, PA: 91

Qualifications:

The last team to wear this crown before Detroit looks like they want it back in the early going. The team that formerly prided itself as a shut-down defense has all but sputtered out of the gate, ranking 30^th in total defense, giving up 432.3 yards per game in the early going, having recorded just 3 sacks thus far and allowing opponents to convert on 3^rd down 45 percent of the time. Offensively, the team is a mess, averaging just under 300 yards per game, which is expected when you only control the ball for an average of 26:47 per game.

Chances to Win:

Well, the Bucs get Washington in Week 4, which has to be demoralized after living up to predictions and falling to Detroit last week. So anything is game this week. After that, they get the Panthers twice, with a game against Miami in the mix as well. Tampa doesn't look good, but they have a few shots to dig themselves out.

Kansas City Chiefs

PF: 48, PA: 95

Qualifications:

The Chiefs made a lot of moves in the offseason to try and turn this organization around, but so far, nothing worked. The topping on their cake thus far has to be losing to the Raiders and a QB with a completion percentage below 40%. The offense, which should have improved with Matt Cassel at quarterback, has sputtered to a 30^th ranking in the NFL, averaging just 264.3 yards per game. The defense, while not much better, ranks just 22^nd in the league.

Chances to win:

Looks like they get a break with a shot against the Redskins in week six. After that, they get a redemption shot with Oakland during week ten and a Christmas present on December 20^th against Cleveland. This looks like a team that holds its own broken destiny in its own hands.

Cleveland Browns

PF: 29, PA: 95

Qualifications:

Hmm, QB controversy; check. Worst offense in the NFL; check. Bottom four in defense; check. Sounds and looks like the cards are stacked against the Browns who just can't seem to get anything going. Averaging 143.7 yards passing isn't going to win you a lot of games in the NFL, especially when your rushing "attack" is giving you only 71.3. When you only average 13 first downs per game, that means a whole lot of three and outs, which in turn means a whole lot more scoring chances...for your opponent. This is a broken team that needs a change at the helm to get the ship righted quick.

Chances to win:

I don't know if we can even seriously entertain this though, but a shot at Detroit just before Thanksgiving during week eleven, followed by the succession of Kansas City and Oakland during weeks fifteen and sixteen may be it. Other than that, the only game they have any chance of winning is a favorable week nine match-up against the bye, and if the points were right, I'd take the bye to win that one as well.

Sources:
NFL Team Stats - Offense, NFL.com
NFL Team Stats - Defense, NFL.com
NFL Standings, NFL.com
Is There A Winless Team In NFL History, wiki.answers.com