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The NFL's Worst
The '76 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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While discussing some of the worst NFL teams of all time, the first one that always comes to my mind is the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only because they failed to post a win the entire season, but because of the way they did it.

The Bucs were shut out five times in 14 games and were outscored 412-125 on the season. The offense averaged an anemic 77 yards per game on the ground and 137 passing yards per game.

All the blame could not be placed on the offense though. The defense was run over by virtually every team they played, giving up an average of over 170 yards on the ground and 340 total net yards per game.

The Buccaneers were not only good at losing, but they were good at losing big. The average margin of victory for the opposition was 20.5 points per game, and four times during the course of the season the competition scored 40 points or better.

The Bucs' infamous statistics are listed below. Take a look and I think you will agree that the '76 Buccaneers are possibly the most pitiful team to take the field in the NFL.

1976 Buccaneers' Schedule
Date Score W/L Opponent Attendance
9/12/76 0-20 L at Houston 42228
9/19/76 0-23 L San Diego 39558
9/26/76 9-14 L Buffalo 44505
10/3/76 17-42 L at Baltimore 40053
10/10/76 0-21 L at Cincinnati 40700
10/17/76 10-13 L Seattle 43458
10/24/76 20-23 L Miami 61437
10/31/76 19-28 L Kansas City 41779
11/7/76 13-48 L at Denver 61703
11/14/76 0-34 L at N.Y. Jets 46427
11/21/76 7-24 L Cleveland 36930
11/28/76 16-49 L at Oakland 49590
12/5/76 0-42 L at Pittsburgh 43385
12/12/76 14-31 L New England 41517
1976 Buccaneers' Statistics
Tampa Bay Opponent
Total First Downs 191 283
Rushing 71 136
Passing 93 124
Penalty 27 23
3rd Down: Made/Att 51/206 88/206
3rd Down Pct. 24.8 42.7
Total Net Yards 3006 4801
Total Plays 809 909
Avg. Per Game 214.7 342.9
Avg. Per Play 3.7 5.3
Net Yards Rushing 1080 2389
Avg. Per Game 77.1 170.6
Avg. Per Attempt 2.5 4.1
Total Rushes 433 588
Net Yards Passing 1926 2412
Avg. Per Game 137.6 172.3
Avg. Per Play 5.1 7.5
Gross Yards Passing 1926 2412
Att./Completions 376/181 321/180
Completion Pct. 48.1 56.1
Had Intercepted 20 9
Punts/Average 92/2.8 65/2.8
Penalties/Yards 109/875 109/935
Fumbles/Ball Lost 30/17 33/19
Touchdowns 15 50
Rushing 5 23
Passing 9 19
Misc 1 1

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