A look at which teams will lend up with the worst record in the NFL

The 2023 NFL season has been filled with its fair share of surprises and disappointments. While some teams have exceeded expectations, there are a few that have struggled to find their footing on the field. As we reach the halfway point of the season, the question lingers: which team will finish with the worst regular season record? Let's analyze the odds and make predictions on the possible contenders for this dubious title and the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft that comes along with the NFL Worst Regular Season Record. 

The Contenders: Which Teams Are in the Running?

1. Arizona Cardinals (1-8) (+100 via BetOnline)
The Arizona Cardinals entered the season as heavy favorites to secure the worst regular season record and they are gain after a six-game losing streak propelled them back to the top, of the race to the bottom. Despite a promising start under first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon and quarterback Joshua Dobbs, the Cardinals have regressed in recent weeks. Their defense has struggled, and their offense has been unable to find consistency. Dobbs was traded and last week started rookie 5th round pick, Clayton Tune. With Kyler Murray's impending return from injury, the Cardinals face a critical juncture in their season. Will they turn things around or continue to stumble along in the quest for the first draft pick in 2024? If Kyler Murray does nothing in his first few starts post injury, the Cardinals may be in the market to get the #1 pick in 2024 to grab USC's Caleb Williams and play tank ball the rest of the way.

2. Carolina Panthers (1-7) (+285 at SportsBetting.ag)
While the Carolina Panthers managed to secure their first win of the season against the Houston Texans in Week 8, they are still in contention for the worst regular season record. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has shown signs of promise, but has often looked overmatched on the field. An ankle injury has further hampered his progress. The Panthers have a few winnable games on their schedule, but their recent performances, including a 15-13 win over the Texans, have left much to be desired. Other teams in the league are unlikely to fear crossing paths with the struggling Panthers at this point in the season.

3. New York Giants (2-7) (+280 to +325 at the top online sportsbooks)
The New York Giants have quietly entered the conversation for the worst regular season record. After starting the season with high hopes, they have failed to live up to expectations. Their offense has sputtered, Saquon Barkely is again injured, QB Daniel Jones is out for the season and their defense has struggled to contain opposing teams. Despite their recent struggles, the Giants have crept into the race with improved odds to put them in 3rd place. The race to the bottom starts Sunday at Dallas where the G-Men are a gigantic 17.5 point underdog. They could be in the market to pick a QB at #1 in the upcoming draft, if the Daniel Jones experiment ended with his ACL injury.

4. Chicago Bears (2-7) (+550 at BetOnline)
The Chicago Bears have had a rollercoaster season so far. While they have shown flashes of potential, inconsistency has plagued them. QB Justin Fields has also had terrific performances followed by terrible games and then wound up on the IL. Their offense has struggled to find its rhythm, and their defense has been unable to carry the team consistently. With improved odds, the Bears remain in contention for the worst regular season record. However, they have the talent to turn things around and surprise critics and bettors in the second half of the season.

The Historical Perspective: Past Worst Regular Season Records

Looking back at past seasons, we can see that ending a regular season campaign with the worst record does not necessarily define a team's future success - see Cleveland Browns. In 2022, the Chicago Bears finished with the worst record in the league at 3-14 and are currently the 4th favorite to repeat in 2023.

Here is a list of some the teams who finished with the worst regular season records in the last 8 years:

2022: Chicago Bears (3-14)
2021: Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)
2020: Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)
2019: Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)
2018: Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
2017: Cleveland Browns (0-16)
2016: Cleveland Browns (1-15)
2015: Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans (3-13)

Betting on the Worst Regular Season Record: Odds and Where to Place Your Bets

If you're looking to bet on the worst regular season record, BetOnline and partner book SportsBetting.ag offer the odds below for this specific market. These odds are subject to change, so it's essential to stay updated with the latest information.

The odds for the team with the NFL Worst Regular Season Record aren't as tight as you might expect considering there are 10 teams that have between 1-3 victories at the halfway point of the season. For more NFL betting options and odds, check out our recommended sports betting sites.