The State of the NFL in Florida: Historical Futility

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The State of the NFL in Florida: Historical FutilityBy Tim McDonaldNovember 2, 2013

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I'm getting a lot of comments these days from readers asking me, "Hey Tim, aren't you ashamed to be an NFL writer from Florida?"

As you know, the great state of Florida isn't exactly an NFL powerhouse these days. Of the three NFL teams in the state, two are currently winless.

As in zip. Thanks gosh for the Dolphins, huh? Without them, we'd be 0-15, which is the current combined record of Jacksonville and Tampa Bay.

Only two teams in modern history have gone winless through an entire NFL season, the 1976 Bucs and '08 Lions. This year, we could have two.

Both from Florida. One on each coast.

Getting back to my point, no, I'm not ashamed. I'm not even abashed. I have nothing to do any more with those losers. I keep my distance from them because I don't want to get anything on me.

Plus, I've seen it before. I was a Buc beat writer years ago, and I also played a critical role in Jacksonville landing the Jaguars franchise, when I was a highly influential columnist there, striding the halls of power wielding considerable clout.

So, I've seen it before. When you've personally witnessed hundreds of people wearing bags on their heads, it sort of loses its effect.

Incidentally, John McKay is still my all-time, favorite coach. Nobody has ever had a better sense of humor regarding relentless and incessant losing than McKay.

In the meantime, there are some real NFL teams playing this weekend, and here are my picks and breakdowns for the top games.

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