Upsetting Stat

Oakland: 3-9

Kansas City: 2-10

Seattle: 2-10

St. Louis: 2-10

Cincinnati: 1-11-1

Detroit: 0-12

Is this significant? Six teams with three or fewer wins. The interesting part about it is that the last time more than three teams finished with three or less wins was 1991. That is a long time. In 2003 every team had at least four wins. Over the past 10 years 20 teams have finished with three or fewer wins. Detroit has been that team three times. Cleveland is the only one during that time to do it in back-to-back seasons, 1999 and 2000 (They were an expansion team in '99).

So how likely is it that we will see more than three of these awful records this year? Well we have one already, the Lions. Here is how the other five look heading into the last month of the season:

Oakland Raiders: 2-10

The Raiders need only one victory to avoid this dubious distinction. They might not get it, especially if they lose to San Diego tonight. They host New England and Houston in the next two weeks, then travel to Tampa Bay. Houston is a possible win, but Tampa likely will be fighting either for a division title or playoff seeding. 

My Guess: 3-13

Kansas City Chiefs: 2-10

The Chiefs are a big reason why this field is so large; they beat Oakland last week, keep them in contention for a 3-13 year. Their schedule isn't too heavy the rest of the way — at Denver, home for San Diego and Miami, and at Cincinnati to close the year out— but, then again, no schedule is easy for a team with two wins going into December. The most they will win is two games.

My Guess: 4-12

Seattle Seahawks: 2-10

Seattle is going to lose three more games: vs New England, the Jets, and at Arizona. They also travel to St. Louis. If Seattle wins that game, both will finish 3-13 or worse.

My Guess: 2-14

St. Louis Rams: 2-10

It is a safe bet that the Rams will lose at Arizona and at Atlanta. I think they will win at home against Seattle. Their other game is also at home, against San Francisco. I think they'll lose that one.

My Guess: 3-13

Cincinnati Bengals: 1-10-1

The Bengals only shots at winning this again this year are at Cleveland and home against Kansas City in Weeks 16 and 17. Until then, they travel to Indianapolis and host Washington. Looks rough for them

My Guess: 1-14-1

So, if my predictions are right, there would be five teams with records of 3-13 or worse. Yikes.

Other stats on this stupid subject:

The teams who have finished 3-13 or worse the most since the 16-game schedule was introduced in 1978:

Indianapolis and Cincinnati five times each. Detroit, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans four times each.

Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Denver, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and Chicago have never lost more than 12 games in a season. The Chiefs obviously could do it this year.

On the other side, San Francisco has finished 13-3 or better eight times since 1978. Denver has done it four times.

The Jets, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Oakland, Houston, Detroit, Arizona, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and New Orleans have never won 13 games in a season. The Bucs and Panthers still could do it this season.

Miami, San Diego, Seattle, Minnesota, and Philadelphia have accomplished each feat exactly once.