Losing one game is difficult, losing any more than that is worse. What about a losing streak? I’m not referring to a sweep during a series, or that “one team” you just can’t seem to defeat. I’m referring to the worst losing streaks in sports history (so far).
With the Oakland Raiders in the midst another intense losing streak these past two seasons, it’s time to compare the 14 consecutive losses they have under their belt to others in the sports history archives. Some of these may surprise you.
NCAA Football: Prairie View A&M, 80-Game Losing Streak
No, that was not a typo. From 1989 until 1998, Prarie View A&M endured almost a decade of losses. It wasn’t until September 7 of 1998 when the Panthers defeated Mississippi Valley 21-12 that they broke a ridiculous 80-game losing streak. The funniest part about this was running back Kevin Ball said he didn’t want this one win to be “a fluke.” Luckily, it wasn’t. They ended up winning two games in 1999 and have already won three games this year. Multiple reports say this record will go unbeaten (see what I did there?)
NCAA Basketball: Towson Tigers, 41-Game Losing Streak
The Towson Tigers losing streak was a bit more recent. From 2011-2012, this college basketball team lost 41 consecutive games. The streak wasn’t snapped until the Tigers defeated UNC-Wilmington in January of 2012. This was the team’s first win at home in over a year and its first win against a conference opponent in over two seasons.
NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers, 26-Game Losing Streaks
With LeBron James having more power in the city of Cleveland than the mayor himself, hearing the term “losing streak” sounds almost silly, but it did happen in 2011 when they lost 26 games in a row. The Cavs did defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-119 in February of 2011 to end the streak. In 2014, the Philadelphia 76ers tied that record. And they are the only team mentioned above that stands a chance of breaking it this season.
MLB: Baltimore Orioles, 21-Game Losing Streak
In 1988, I saw my first Major League Baseball game. It was the Baltimore Orioles…I don’t remember it. However, this was also the same year the Baltimore Orioles had its now infamous 21-game losing streak. Before you put the blame on me, let me tell you some interesting things about this team. Not only did the team start the season off 0-21 (from April 4 to April 28), but this means the losing streak started on Opening Day. That makes it much easier to keep track of.
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26-Game Losing Streak
The Oakland Raiders still have a bit to go to match the 26-game losing streak the Bucs set from 1976-1977. The offense was almost nonexistent. Tampa Bay was shut out five times and averaged fewer than nine points per game. Quarterback Steve Spurrier threw only seven touchdown passes and the team scored nine offensive touchdowns during the entire 1976 season. The one saving grace here was that this losing streak started during Tampa Bay’s first season in the league. That’s almost enough to give them a pass.
Photo: courtesy of Complex.com