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Could the Cleveland Browns finish the season 0-16?

BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 13:  Daunte Culpepper #11 of the Detroit Lions is pressured during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on
Image: Daunte Culpepper and the Detroit Lions went an entire season without victory

The 2016 Cleveland Browns are 0-10, without much room for optimism. Head coach Hue Jackson announced ahead of this year's draft that the year would be about rebuilding, and a raft of the franchise's best players were released or traded as Jackson accrued 14 draft picks.

Corey Coleman and Cody Kessler have impressed in part, but injuries and a lack of surrounding talent has kept the Browns out of the win column.

Their losing run was extended on Monday night, when the team conceded 25 unanswered points, losing 28-7 to AFC North opponent Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson has been forced to start six different quarterbacks, and despite some hard-fought games - four of Cleveland's losses were by less than a touchdown - time is running out for the Browns to avoid the season-long shutout.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Head Coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns watches his team warm up before the start of the game against the Clevelan
Image: Browns head coach Hue Jackson is looking at the NFL's first winless season since 2008

There have been 11 teams with winless seasons throughout the history of the NFL, dating back as far as 1922 when the Columbus Panhandles lost all eight of their regular season games. 

The Detroit Lions are the only franchise still in existence that have had more than one losing season (1942, 2008). But how do they compare to other losing teams, and are the Browns destined to emulate these infamous teams?

Sky Live: Browns @ Ravens
Sky Live: Browns @ Ravens

Cleveland Browns face Baltimore Ravens to kick-off Week 10, live on Sky Sports on Thursday night.

1. 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16)

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After starting 6-2 the season before, the Lions lost 23 of 24 regular season games to become the first team in NFL history to lose a 16-game season. 

Similarly to the current crop of Cleveland Browns, the Lions struggled with injuries at quarterback and came to within a score of a win on three different occasions. 

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 16:  Head coach Rod Marinelli of the Detroit Lions yells at a referee against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on
Image: Head coach Rod Marinelli lost his job after the Lions went 0-16

However, head coach Rod Marinelli couldn't get his side over the line and promptly lost his job as a result. In the resulting draft, the Lions took Matt Stafford with the first pick, but have still not finished top of the AFC North since 1993. 

2. 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-14)

Starting out as an expansion franchise, the Bucs produced one of the most pitiful offences in NFL history. Averaging nine points a game and shutout five times, including a 42-0 drubbing by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the highest points total Tampa achieved in one game was 20.

Out of 28 teams, the '76 Buccaneers ranked last in offence and second last in defence. Their problems went so deep that they lost the first 12 games of the following season too, setting an NFL record for 26 consecutive losses. 

3. 2007 Miami Dolphins (1-15)

The best thing about the 2007 Dolphins was the 2008 Lions, which made this woeful season old news pretty quickly. After repeatedly stating his intention to stay with the Dolphins for the 2007 season, head coach Nick Saban left to take charge of Alabama's college programme. 

Rookie head coach Cam Cameron took charge, making wholesale changes to the coaching staff as well as the roster, which included the trade of Wes Welker to division rivals the New England Patriots.  

The Dolphins lost six games by three points or less, and their only win didn't come until week 15 where Miami beat the Baltimore Ravens 22-16 in overtime.

LONDON - OCTOBER 28:  Brandon Jacobs #27 of the Giants carries the ball during the NFL Bridgestone International Series match between New York Giants and
Image: The New York Giants beat the Dolphins at Wembley stadium

The dismal season, which included the first regular season game at Wembley Stadium, was compounded by the Patriots who went unbeaten throughout the entire season, before eventually losing in the Super Bowl. 

4. 2001 Carolina Panthers (1-15)

After winning their opening game on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, the Panthers had the makings of a play-off contender, which included rookie wide receiver Steve Smith.

However their shortfall was at quarterback, where fourth rounder Chris Weinke was thrown into a starting role, and the Panthers went on to lose 15 consecutive games, two of which went to overtime. The Panthers leading receiver, Donald Hayes, managed just 597 yards and two touchdowns throughout the entire season.

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 10:  Chris Weinke #16 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after throwing an interception against the New York Giants on December 10, 2
Image: Chris Weinke had a tough rookie season as the Carolina Panthers won just once

The most damning statistic came in the final week of the season, at home against the New England Patriots where the Panthers only registered 17,000 fans from an attendance of over 71,000. The Panthers lost 38-6, and head coach George Seifert was relieved of his duties. 

John Fox was then appointed, and the Panthers reached the Super Bowl just two years later for the first time in their history. 

5. 2011 Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

A year after a Super Bowl appearance, and with Peyton Manning leading the franchise from quarterback, the Colts were primed to have another play-off challenge.

However, Manning suffered a season-ending neck injury before week one and the team turned to Kerry Collins, who had retired earlier that summer. 

The Colts' terrible performances, which included a 62-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, led to them finishing 28th in scoring, dropping from 4th the year before. 

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 03:  Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to throw a pass in the in the first quarter against the New York Giants
Image: Andrew Luck was the first round pick in 2012 following a disappointing 2-14 campaign

There is a theory that, after a poor start, the Colts joined the 'Suck for Luck' race, losing games in order to secure the first overall pick and the selection of quarterback Andrew Luck. Whether a tactic or a culmination of a terrible 2011 campaign, Luck joined Indianapolis and has made the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons.  

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