Rams, Bucs, Browns, Chiefs: could any lose 20 straight?

The longest losing streak of all time is 26 games, set by the atrocious Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the 1970's. The Detroit Lions saw their losing streak stop at 19 games earlier this year, keeping them from becoming just the second team to ever lose 20 straight.

If you were looking to see history this year, you may still be in luck. There are four teams carrying at least eight-game losing streaks, and all four appear to have at least a marginal shot at breaking 20. But which team, if any, is bad enough to make it happen?

Team 1: St. Louis Rams

Losing streak: 14

Next six games:

• vs. Minnesota
• @ Jacksonville
• vs. Indianapolis
• @ Detroit
  
• vs. New Orleans
  
• vs. Arizona

It doesn't look good for the St. Louis Rams, whose one bright spot this season has been their 9-7 loss to the Washington Redskins. It's possible they could surprise the Vikings, who might be due for a letdown after their huge game against the Packers -- but I doubt it. The Jaguars are looking real good at 2-2 and should have no trouble silencing the Rams. They ain't beating the Colts. They COULD beat the Lions, but they'd be on the road. They ain't beating the Saints, and they haven't beaten the Cardinals since September 24, 2006.

Prognosis for losing 20: Probable. (If you're in St. Louis, just trade in your Rams' seats for Cardinals tickets. Save yourself the misery.)

Team 2: Cleveland Browns

Losing streak: 10

Next ten games:

• @ Buffalo
• @ Pittsburgh
• vs. Green Bay
• @ Chicago
• vs. Baltimore
• @ Detroit
• @ Cincinnati
• vs. San Diego
• vs. Pittsburgh
• @ Kansas City

Not only have the Cleveland Browns lost ten consecutive games, they have only produced three offensive touchdowns during that time -- an all-time NFL low. If you're a Browns fan, then you know that not only do the Browns lose regularly to teams with great defenses like San Diego, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Green Bay, and Chicago, they get destroyed by them. Buffalo, Kansas City, and Detroit are all beatable, but they'd have to get it done on the road.

Prognosis for losing 20: Possible, but unlikely. (They suck, but the odds of them losing to both Kansas City AND Detroit is still a longshot. If you're in Cleveland, bet it all on the Cavs if you know what's good for you.)

Team 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Losing streak: 8

Next dozen games:

• @ Philadelphia
• vs. Carolina
• vs. New England
• vs. Green Bay
• @ Miami
• vs. New Orleans
• @ Atlanta
• @ Carolina
• vs. NY Jets
• @ Seattle
• @ New Orleans
• vs. Atlanta

For the Bucs to lose 20 straight, it would mean they'd have to go 0-16, which is why they probably aren't going to do it... probably. They play Carolina twice, the Dolphins once, the Seahawks once and the Falcons on the last day of the year -- when Atlanta might be resting their starters. That being said, they have no quarterback and they have no offense to speak of, whatsoever. The last time they had a rusher go for 100 yards was when Warrick Dunn did it... 15 games ago. So rest assured, this team is awful.

Prognosis for losing 20: Nah. (Their schedule has enough holes, and their defence is decent enough that they should squeak out at least one victory.)

Team 4: Kansas City Chiefs

Losing streak: 8

Next dozen games:

• vs. Dallas
• @ Washington
• vs. San Diego
• @ Jacksonville
• @ Oakland
• vs. Pittsburgh
• @ San Diego
• vs. Denver
• vs. Buffalo
• vs. Cleveland
• @ Cincinnati
• @ Denver

The Chiefs have lost 27 of their last 29 games. 2-27! So I'm not going to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to getting an easy win. That being said, they have a REALLY easy schedule. Washington, Oakland, Cincinnati, Denver, Cleveland, and Buffalo are bound to give them at least one win. Surely Larry Johnson and Matt Cassell can't play this bad all season long.

Prognosis for losing 20: Don't see it. (They'll get it done against one of their divisional opponents. If not, expect to see more bagheads in Kansas City.)

(Photos by Dilip Vishwanat, Larry French, J. Meric, and Jamie Squire, all courtesy of Getty Images)