Every NFL franchise has its ups and downs, but for some, 2000 to 2010 was a long period of struggle. Whether it was poor decisions, bad trades, or even worse coaching, these 10 franchises really suffered the most throughout the 2000s.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are one of the best teams in football right now, but 2000 to 2010 was full of inconsistency and disappointment. In fact, it didn’t get much worse than when they went 0-16 in 2008 and became the first team in NFL history to achieve that unwanted record.
Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders)
The Raiders kicked off the 2000s strong with a Super Bowl appearance in 2002, but it was all downhill from there. In fact, from 2003 to 2009, they didn’t record a single winning season.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a dominant force in football today, but they failed to make the playoffs once in the 2000s. Not to mention, they cycled through multiple head coaches and struggled with quarterback stability.
St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams)
After beginning the decade with “The Greatest Show on Turf” and a Super Bowl appearance in 2001, the Rams franchise went downhill fast. In fact, they only managed two winning seasons after 2003.
San Francisco 49ers
After being a powerhouse in the ’80s and ’90s, the 49ers had a rough transition into the 2000s. They managed only two winning seasons and cycled through seven different head coaches in the decade.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns’ issues in the 2000s will go down in history. Not only did they have one of the worst records of the decade, but they dealt with constant turnover at head coach and quarterback. Not to mention, poor draft decisions — like passing on Ben Roethlisberger and drafting Tim Couch — kept them at the bottom for years.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins had a rough decade, with only one playoff appearance and one winning season in 2008. While they did manage a few OK seasons, Miami’s inconsistency and lack of direction made them a disappointing franchise in the 2000s.
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Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders)
Washington made only two playoff appearances in the decade and consistently underperformed. And, despite former owner Dan Snyder splurging on free agents, Washington struggled to build a cohesive team.
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Houston Texans
As an expansion team that joined the NFL in 2002, the Texans struggled to gain traction in the league. They won only four games in their inaugural season and managed just one winning season by the end of the decade.
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Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the best team in football for quite some time, but let’s not forget their struggles from 2000 to 2010. While the team had talented players, like Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, they struggled with coaching changes and issues at quarterback.
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