Let's see.  Detroit has the NHL Red Wings, who won the Stanley Cup last year.  They have the MLB Tigers, who were in the World Series in 2006 although they bottomed out in the AL Central last year, and the NBA Pistons, who have won championships within recent memory and are currently second in their division.

And then there are the Lions, who have set a new record for hapless failure.  Maybe the other three franchises should gang up and ship the NFL team to Butte or somewhere.

Really the worst team in the history of the NFL-they wear beaten badly and very un competitive in some of their games.

As numbah posted, the Bucs were the first team to go winless in a season, however, the 1976 Bucs were the expansion team, the 2008 Lions have been around for a while. Also, it doesn't help when you draft wide receivers in the first round three ears in a row.

Not to win a game in an entire season has been done one other time. I'd say that is a pretty big story in sports. Lucky for me...sports isn't that important.

Big flash over the weekend but the sizzle will wear off fast and even NFL fans have to place this story behind the holidays, the playoffs, and a lousy economy.  Still, 0-16 will be remembered by fans but I don't think it's a big 'story'. . .

I don't consider 0-16 an accomplishment of any sorts.  I live in Miami and we had to endure last year's march with the Dolphins to 1-15, so I understand their plight in a way.  The Fins obviously got it turned around, but really the difference between 11-5 and 6-10 was probably Chad Pennington.  Detroit won't be able to attract the type of quality free agents that will be needed to turn it around quickly.  And unfortunately, I believe the Lions are in worse shape than the Dolphins were in 2007.  There is less talent on that Lions roster and it will take time to restock it.  

i have a bummed out disappointed husband who tried and watched,or tuned into every Lion's game this year. Only to see them lose every game of the 16, this season was so bad that the games did not sell out. since we are within the 100 mile zone those games were blacked out. so he could only "hear" them pathetically lose. will hiring a new coach for next year really help? I wish. not a huge  Lions fan but wish they have a better season next year. at least win a couple games.

If I may, the description says that they are the first NFL team to go winless. Not so. The Bucs did it too if I remember right, but the Lions have the foul distinction of being the first to do this with a 16 game schedule. This team is likely going to get gutted, particulary in coaching but also a bit in personel as they try not to repeat this folly next year.

In a league that usually does a pretty good job of promoting parity, going 0-16 is an impressive accomplishment. As if Detroit needed anything else to be depressed about - a mayor in jail, a reeling car industry, and now the record breaking, winless Lions.