The WORST Collapse in NFL History 

2008 was a great year for collapses; the Broncos, the Bucs (as you mentioned), the Jets and the Cowboys all had pretty memorable ones.

If you're talking about epic collapses check out the 2002 New Orleans Saints. They were 9-4 going into the last three weeks against a 1 win Bengal team, at home against a Vikings team working on a 16 game road losing streak, and another home game against the 6 wins Panthers.

As a Bolts fan, I will never forget this stretch of games. True to my fandom, I always fear the worst before sitting down to watch a game featuring my team...but before that Week 17 Sunday night game, I was 100% sure that we were going to win.

As of this year, my poor ravens went from 8-3 to 8-9 (mainly because of injuries, but still a collapse though)

I remember the game he mentions at 11:08 when the Broncos lost to the Colts on a Halloween Monday Night in 1988. A game where Eric Dickerson did an Al Bundy and scored 4 touchdowns in one game.

Freaking traumatizing as a Broncos fan. All they needed to win was 1 game and they choked it all up. What’s worse, I had to deal with that again the next season (starting 6-0 and finishing 8-8)😔😔

You make good content , I hope your channel takes off

If you’re ahead by 3 with 3 games left, you better slam the door shut

1993 Dolphins IMO. Don Shula led squad goes 9-2, losing the the final five including an OT loss the final week to a 4 win Patriots team.

This was peak Rasputin Norv Turner

That same season, losses to the Panthers team that aided the Broncos' collapse and these Chargers combined with losses to the Falcons and, somehow, the Raiders, led to the Bucs going from 9-3 and looking like playoff locks to 9-7, out of playoff contention and cleaning house. Both general manager Bruce Allen and head coach Jon Gruden were shown the door nearly 3 weeks after the Raiders loss.

Rasputin Norv Turner ended up getting 5 more years because of this.

In 1995, the Raiders started 8-2. They then proceeded to lose their final 6 games and miss the playoffs. This Broncos “collapse” is child’s play.

Two words explain it, Jay Cutler.

Another thing about the Bucs that year, heading into the Chargers game, they were unbeaten (6-0) at home. They lost their last 2, but it was on the road against the Panthers and Falcons, 2 teams with a combined 1 home loss in the regular season (ironically, that 1 loss was a Falcons loss to the Broncos)

In 2009 the Broncos started the season 6-0 and finished 8-8.

I think it must be talked about how the Broncos would also to this the next season in 09 and in 2016.

The worst choke job until 28-3 🤣🤣🤣

Man I miss seeing Polamalu make plays! Love your channel!

What about the 2003 Vikings? Started the season 6-0, looked like a lock to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, only to go 3-7 for the remainder of the season and ultimately miss the playoffs on the last play in Arizona.

"It doesn't get much worse than that." Josh McDaniels next year: Hold my beer

The 1994 Eagles started off the season at 7 - 2. That was the season they went to San Francisco and beat the eventual Super Bowl champs 40 to 8. They finished at 7 - 9! Head Coach Rich Kotite gets fired at the end of the season.

I like the lower octane style you had in this. Did the pressures of RU-vid cause you to fire up your narration tone so much since then? You’re the best NFL analyst/historian on the internet, at either pace.

Actually Carolina was the No.2 seed in the NFC that year. The New York Giants were the no.1 seed.

The Broncos actually had four season collapses in the 2000s: 2002, 2006, 2008, and 2009. In my opinion, the 2008 collapse has to be the worst based on how weak the AFC West was and the aftermath.

2008 was a horrible year for me too; but at least it wasn't on public display

Found you channel recently, I love your content man

Ur killin it. Stay up

My absolute favorite ever season as a chargers fan, especially living in Colorado at the time. One of the few spots of an otherwise crappy middle school experience.

One thing you left out of that Week 2 matchup was right before Denver scored the go ahead TD, Cutler had the ball go flying out of his hand and it was inexplicably ruled an incomplete pass instead of a fumble. Apropos of nothing, Dwayne Bowe dropping that onside kick ultimately cost me my fantasy league championship that year.

I was a Chargers fan at the time, and I remember we had essentially given up on the season since the only hope they had was seeing the Broncos collapse. Each week we were keeping an eye on their scores but not thinking much. Seeing them choke it away in Week 16 leading to a beat down in Week 17 for the AFC West title on national TV. Then to sweeten the pot the Chargers pulled off the upset in the Wildcard round against the Colts. Plus I'm surprised you glossed over the fact that even though the Broncos won the shootout earlier in the season, they never should've scored but were given a chance due a botched call by Ed Hochuli. Good times lol

Oh Lord, I remember this like it was yesterday. As a Broncos fan since the original number 7 (Craig Morton) was under center, those last 3 games were brutal. I conceded the Panthers game, thinking "Just beat Buffalo". When the Bills won, I went in to the final game against the Chargers knowing it was over. Denver's run defense that year was like fielding 11 matadors. After Shanahan came Josh McDaniels and the Tim Tebow experiment (Yes, the Broncs won the division and a playoff game with Tebow under center, but not without a lifetime's nerve-wracking moments). Indeed, a harrowing time for the Bronco faithful.

Let's also not forget '06 for Denver. They were 7-2 and playing at home vs SD on Sunday night. Darant Williams just pick sixes Rivers to go up 24-7 in the 3rd quarter. Things were going great...nope! Lose that game then fall to 9-6 only needing to beat lowly SF at home on New Years eve! Lose in crushing fashion to SF in OT and Darent Williams gets murdered that night. Legend has it that Brandon Marshall started the altercation with the murderer and his gang at the night club.

'08 Broncos: we pulled off the worst collapse ever '09 Broncos: hold my McDaniels

1993 Miami Dolphins were an epic collapse. 9-2 after thanksgiving only to lose the last 5 and miss the playoffs

Correction. The Giants were the number one seed in the playoffs not the Panthers.

as a young chargers fan, beyond the week 17 demolition and week 15 chiefs miracle, that broncos loss against the bills was incredible to me. everyone knew that the broncos would just beat them by default and then it didn't happen, everyone was stunned.

Three years later in 2011, the Broncos were again 8-5 and lost 3 in a row to fall to 8-8. They still somehow won the AFC West that year. They were pitied that year by the NFL gods

I became a diehard Broncos fan in 2006. I had to wait until 2011 thanks to their collapses in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Honestly I felt at the time it was karma for the "Ed Hochuli game" earlier in the year that gave Denver the W over San Diego

2008... the Chiefs collapsed every game it seemed like. They would go up big in the first half and not make any adjustments at halftime... only to blow 2-3 score leads. I thought Tyler Thigpen had potential had he been under a decent coach.

In my opinion, the 2003-04 Vikings were worse chokes. They started 6-0, and missed the playoffs at 9-7. I know the 2009-10 Broncos did this, too, but the Vikings were special. In that they lost to the 4 worst teams in the NFL. Plus a loss to a Bears team that didn’t make the playoffs. Losses to Rams and Packers weren’t bad losses. And despite that, all the Vikings needed to do to make the playoffs was to beat the Cardinals. And they lost to them on the final play, knocking them out of the playoff. It was that game that made me a Cardinals fan (worst decision I made).

Can you do the 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers collapse thanks to the afc west

What also needs to be mentioned in the 2008-09 season was that the Chargers were robbed in Week 2 against the Broncos. So arguably the last game of the season shouldn’t have mattered.

I see a lot of people saying that there were bigger collapses but considering that the Broncos were up by 3 games with 3 games to play, this is the worst collapse especially considering that no team had ever been up 3 games with 3 to play and blew it.

Have 2 brothers who were Bronco fans. That was rough for them lol

Great content, although CAR was number 2 that year. Also this collapse is amazing in that DEN started 6-0 the next year and collapsed AGAIN to go 8-8.

Good video, I watched this without checking out your channel and assumed you were semi popular, good production I'd just suggest maybe pacing these videos a little faster if you wanna keep with this content, even just ten mins would have been nice, besides that good vid!

Do the 2009 Broncos too lmfao

Since both teams finished 8-8 and were 1-1 against each other, the tiebreaker was Division Record. San Diego got the tiebreaker because they had a 5-1 division record vs Denvers' 3-3.

Two words:Jay Cutler.

How about the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 and '77? In 1970 they were 8-2-1 and lost their last 3 games to miss the playoffs. In 1977 they were 7-3 and lost the last 4, starting with a 55-14 loss at home to Miami on Thanksgiving and ending with a 17-7 loss in Tampa Bay, which was the Bucs' first home win ever, and second straight after losing their first 26 games, ending Don Coryell's reign as Cardinals' head coach.

Oilers vs Bills. Nw that was a collapse.

A note on the Chargers-Broncos game in Denver that year: Referee Ed Hoculi had completely blown a call on that final drive by Denver. Cutler got strip-sacked and the Chargers recovered the ball. BUT Hoculi prematurely blew the whistle because he thought Cutler was down. Replays clearly showed he wasn’t, but the play couldn’t be reviewed because the whistle was blown. Hoculi admitted a couple days later that he had blown the call. Chargers would’ve have won the game. That being said, watching Denver collapse that year was fun.

Ron Rivera second to last year at Carolina, went 6-2 the first 8 weeks. But finished the season 7-9 losing the division in the season finale. He was ultimately fired the following season, but he shouldn't have had another season.

Worst Mid-Season collapses? Add the 2021 Baltimore Ravens to that list. Worst Late-Season collapses? Add the 2021 Indianapolis Colts to that list.

Also the 1987 Chargers should be on this list also as they had an 8-1 record 1st in AFC West and then they really collapsed as they lost the last 6 games to finish 3rd in division and miss the playoffs.

I love seeing the ticker at the bottom of the screen and reminding me that guys like Ryan Grant and Tavaris Jackson existed.

They still need a QB...

The 2022 Titans has entered the conversation.

I remember that Chiefs collapse against the Chargers. It led to the firing of Carl Peterson the very next day. You could feel the Chiefs fortunes finally changing, although it took another 4 years.

How did you find the specific division standings for a given week up to that point on Pro Football Reference?

5:35 RIP VJ

First was the 2007 College Football season, then came the 2008 NFL season. Both had more plot twists than Jennifer Lopez has engagement rings

2021 Baltimore started 8-3-0 and ended 8-9-0 losing their final 6 games that's a bigger collapse

Their defense was 30th out of 32. The odd stats for me, no RBs with over 100 carries (Michael Pittman lead with 76) and the leading rusher was Peyton Hillis with 343 yards.

No collapse was worse than the 1993 Miami Dolphins who started out 9-2, and then seem to lose every game in heartbreaking fashion

What's funny about this is that the Broncos would collapse again the very next season. Not as big a collapse as this one, but still pretty bad. The started 6-0, went into their bye, and then went 2-8 the rest of the way.

1:45 Troy polamalu being an absolute god

1:47 I love how Troy p not even on screen yet but comes in hot anticipating that lateral. Iq and awareness off the charts!

This was a nightmare

I thought the Charges were 4-8 at one point, they beat my Jets and it was their last win of the year. I would include the 1993 Dolphins, 9-2 and losing their last 5 games, plus the 2003 Vikings who were 6-0 and missed the playoffs. Finally the 1978 Washington Redskins were 7-1 and I think they missed the playoffs too

The Broncos used to own the Chiefs back then, but now it’s the complete opposite.

In Rich Kotite's last season as head coach of the Eagles, Philly started the season 7-2. Six games later, then were out of playoff contention; one meaningless game later, and they capped off an 0-7 finish.

Panthers started 6-0 one season finished 7-9 I think

jay kutler should be hall fame.

This collapse also affected future nfl drafts. No longer was picks determined based on records unless team plays in super bowl, if you miss the playoffs, record determines your pick then when you lose in playoffs determines your draft order along with overall record.

The collapse of the Ravens 2021 season was pretty epic.

2020 Steelers: "You think that's a collapse? Hold my Iron City Beer."

It cost Mike Shanahan his job.

Sorry got distracted of the highlight of Polamalu running in at a full spring and just perfectly timing it and taking the ball into the end zone against the chargers lol. Dude was sick

The 2020 Cardinals (7-3, 8-8) and 2021 Ravens (8-3, 8-9) also come to mind as well, granted under a different playoff format system

The worst collapse ever was the 1993 Miami Dolphins. They were 9-2 best in the NFL and were coming off a win over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. They then lost there final 5 games and missed the playoffs.

I went to the Sunday night winner take all game and the wildcard win the following week. It was awesome!!!!

Jay Cutler Magic is born!

7:51 Shoutout to the Lions at the bottom of the screen. That's a bigger topic than the one in this video.

From a Jets fan- going from 10-1 to 10-6 and getting blown out horribly in those last 5 games then after beating KC in round 1, the Jets blow a 10 point lead with 4 minutes left in the game in Cleveland and lose in OT- Do a video on the 1986 Jets..... Or the 1978 Packers who started 6-1 but finished 8-7-1 and barely out of the playoffs losing a tiebreaker to Minnesota for the division.... Or the 1978 Redskins who started 6-0 but finished 8-8. Or the 2003 Minnesota Vikings who started 6-0 but finished 9-7 when the Cards got a winning TD on the seasons final play to eliminate Minnesota

that Panthers team was awesome. Just ran into a buzzsaw in Larry Fitzgerald in the Divisional Round.

That home game vs San Diego cutler one play before the touchdown fumbled the ball to the chargers but an inadvertent whistle was blown and denver kept the ball

Worse collapse: Jags after 2017

jeff garcia should be hall fame

The Chargers get in at 8-8 while the 11-5 Patriots didn't.

Jay Kutler should be hall fame.

And now for today, Steelers start at 11-0 end the season at 12-4 and are a first round playoff out.

All these team were afraid of Pittsburgh Steeler.

Monte Kiffin quit in Tampa Bay, their defense quit and Jon Gruden got canned.

JG9: No team in NFL history has had a worse collapse than this. The 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers of 2020: Hold my beer.

Who’s here after the ravens had a worse collapse

No scramble throwing off back foot Cutler 2008. This began a rough patch till Tebow mania and then Manning.

...and then the Bears thought it would be a great idea to trade for that quarterback. Genius.