The Chicago Bears’ Losing Streak
In NFL history, losing streaks stand as a testament to the challenges that teams face in their journey to success. From remarkable comebacks to enduring hardships, these streaks capture the essence of a team’s perseverance. Today, we turn our attention to the Chicago Bears as they embark on a losing streak that is making waves within the football league.
The Historical Context:
Reflecting on Chicago’s rich football history, it might come as a surprise to many that the city’s longest losing streak in NFL history does not belong to the Bears. Rather, it is the Chicago Cardinals who endured the longest streak, losing 29 consecutive games from 1942 to 1945. However, it was against the Chicago Bears that the Cardinals finally broke their losing spell, winning 16-7 on October 14, 1945, just one game short of 30 straight losses.
The Modern-Day Chicago Bears:
Fast-forwarding 78 years, we find another Chicago team writing its chapter in the league’s history books. The Chicago Bears are curating their own losing streak, albeit with a long way to go before rivaling the Cardinals’ iconic feat. Spanning across 2022 and 2023, the Bears’ current losing streak has garnered attention as one of the record-breaking stretches in modern-day NFL history.
The Lengthy Streak:
The Bears’ losing streak currently stands at 14 consecutive games, dating back to last season. The team’s struggles were evident during the 2022 season, closing it with ten consecutive losses. Unfortunately, the pattern continued into this year, with the Bears starting the 2023 season with an 0-4 record, including a devastating loss after squandering a 21-point lead against the previously winless Denver Broncos in Week 3.
Ranking the Streaks:
It’s only natural to wonder where the Bears’ losing streak stands among the longest in NFL history. To provide some context, here is a list of the longest NFL losing streaks recorded:
1. 29 games: Chicago Cardinals, 1942-1945
2. 26 games: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1976-1977
3. 20 games: Jacksonville Jaguars, 2020-2021
4 (tie). 19 games: Detroit Lions, 2007-2009; Oakland Raiders, 1961-1962
6. 18 games: Houston Oilers, 1972-1973
7 (tie). 17 games: Dayton Triangles, 1927-1929; Washington Football Team, 1960-1961; Houston Oilers, 1982-1983; Cleveland Browns, 2015-2016, 2016-2017
13 (tie). 16 games: Rochester Jeffersons, 1922-1925; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1969-1970; Miami Dolphins, 2006-2007; Oakland Raiders, 2013-2014
17 (tie). 15 games: Philadelphia Eagles, 1936-1937; Pittsburgh Steelers, 1943-1945
19 (tie). 14 games: Chicago Bears, 2022-2023, along with five other franchises.
While the Chicago Bears’ current losing streak is far from the longest in NFL history, it highlights the challenges that teams face in the pursuit of victory. As the Bears strive to break free from this streak, their journey reflects the resilience ingrained in the fabric of professional football. Ultimately, it is how teams respond to adversity that defines their legacy. Only time will tell whether the Bears can reverse their fortune and create a new chapter in their storied history.
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