NFL Betting: Which NFL Team Will Have the Worst Regular-Season Record in 2023?

It's always fun to talk about the best teams, but this article won't do any of that.

Today, we're going to get into which NFL team will have the worst regular-season record in 2023. Just as there has to be a Super Bowl winner every year, there also has to be a team that gets the first pick in the next NFL Draft.

Who is likely to be that squad this year?

Using the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, here's a look at the 10 teams with the best odds for the worst regular-season record.

Let's dive into the five favorites.

Arizona Cardinals

2022 Record: 4-13
FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +340

There's not much to like about the Arizona Cardinals heading into the 2023 season, and as such, FanDuel Sportsbook has the Cards as the team most likely to have the worst record in football.

The biggest problem for Arizona is the injury to quarterback Kyler Murray. The Oklahoma product tore his ACL in Week 12 last year, and that is seemingly all the Cardinals needed to give up on 2022 and 2023. Murray is working with the hope of getting back as soon as possible, but until then, he will likely be replaced by a long-time NFL backup Colt McCoy or rookie Clayton Tune, a fifth-round pick.

After Murray got hurt last year, the Cardinals didn't win a game the rest of the way -- with McCoy under center -- and it led to the firing of Kliff Kingsbury, who was replaced by former Philadelphia Eagles coodinator Jonathan Gannon.

Gannon is likely in for a tough season as the Cards' moves point to an organization that is already looking ahead to 2024. In the draft, Arizona traded back from the number-three spot, picking up the Houston Texans' 2024 first-rounder. That could prove to be an amazing move -- heck, it's possible Arizona ends up with the first two picks of the 2024 draft -- but it doesn't help the Cards in 2023.

Both Zach Allen and Byron Murphy moved on in the offseason, and that weakened the Cardinals' already not-so-good defense. Then, of course, Arizona released DeAndre Hopkins -- so not only is Arizona missing it's starting quarterback, but they'll also be sans their number-one wideout from 2022.

One thing the Cards have working for them is their schedule, which isn't too bad -- just the 14th-toughest by 2023 win totals. But there's a chance the NFC West, which had two playoff teams a year ago, is better than expected if the Los Angeles Rams can rebound.

numberFire projects the Cardinals for 5.7 wins this upcoming season, the fewest of any team. There's a reason the Cardinals have the best odds to own the worst record.

Houston Texans

2022 Record: 3-13-1
FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +900

The Texans were one of the league's worst teams last year but made some moves in the offseason to work their way back toward respectability. Opposite of the Cardinals, Houston made some aggressive moves to try to be better in 2023, including the aforementioned draft-night trade with the Cards.

The Texans selected Ohio State's C.J. Stroud with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft and then traded up with the Cardinals to get the third pick, drafting defensive end Will Anderson Jr. out of Alabama. These two moves instantly gave Houston new identities and leaders on both sides of the ball. They also were busy in free agency, signing the likes of Jimmie Ward and Dalton Schultz to add some veteran presence for new head coach DeMeco Ryans -- although the Texans dealt away Brandin Cooks.

On offense, Houston ranked in the bottom 10 in the league in both passing and rushing last season, so while Stroud and a healthy Dameon Pierce should be able to boost those numbers, Houston still doesn't have the weapons for Stroud that suggest a huge improvement on that side of the ball in 2023.

However, Houston benefits from a weak AFC South, which results in the Texans having the fifth-easiest schedule by 2023 win totals.

Despite all the Texans' additions and the easier slate, oddsmakers are fully expecting Houston to be one of the league's worst teams, and numberFire has the Texans at 5.9 projected wins -- just barely ahead of the Cardinals (5.7).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2022 Record: 8-9
FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +950

A world without Tom Brady likely comes with a rude awakening for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It was only a season ago that the Buccaneers limped into the playoffs thanks to being in a poor NFC South that saw every single team finish under .500. But throughout this offseason, other teams in the division have made moves to improve while Tampa Bay has had to accept a reality that Brady is no longer their quarterback. The Buccaneers will turn to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask to replace Brady. Neither seems like a great option.

On top of that, the defense of coach Todd Bowles' team took a step back last year after performing as one of the most feared units in the league for a couple of seasons. The losses of Sean Murphy-Bunting and Mike Edwards won't help, either, but the Buccaneers still have talent on D.

The schedule is working against them. Due to their first-place finish in the division in 2022, Tampa Bay has by far the toughest schedule in the NFC South, according to 2023 win totals. The Bucs own the 13th-toughest schedule while the three other NFC South squads all have among the six easiest schedules.

Ultimately, the Bucs' success -- or lack thereof -- will likely depend on what kind of production they get at quarterback. Per numberFire, Tampa Bay ranks third to last in wins, projected to finish with 6.7 victories.

Los Angeles Rams

2022 Record: 5-12
FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +1000

Reality hit the Rams square in the face in 2022, and it'll be interesting to see how LA responds in 2023.

One year after the Rams won the Super Bowl, it all went downhill, and it's going to be a tall task for them to get back to anything close to contention anytime soon.

LA still has some top-shelf talent, but it's a top-heavy roster. And the aging stars the Rams have are all one year older. Matthew Stafford will be coming off a season where he missed half of it due to a spinal contusion. It's anyone's guess how he will look this fall in what will be his age-35 campaign. Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald are coming off injuries, as well, and are 30 and 32, respectively.

The Rams have another problem in that they didn't sign anyone of note in the offseason but lost a few key players -- including Jalen Ramsey and Taylor Rapp.

There's little to like about the Rams outside of the few stars they have and coach Sean McVay. But McVay and some top-end talent might be enough to help LA avoid posting the worst record in the NFL.

numberFire projects Los Angeles for 7.6 wins -- more than seven other teams. Despite being fourth-favorites in this market, the Rams probably have enough in the tank to avoid an NFL-worst record in 2023.

Washington Commanders

2022 Record: 8-8-1
FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +1300

The Washington Commanders are going to try this all over again with another quarterback at the helm for the 2023 season.

If you haven't noticed already, many of these teams expected to be in the doldrums of the NFL this season have question marks on offense -- specifically quarterback. The Commanders definitely fit that mold with Sam Howell expected to start. With gaudy numbers in college but not selected until Day 3 of the NFL Draft, Howell has a lot to prove and is being given the chance to do so.

He should benefit from an offense that has a good amount of talent in the likes of Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson. It's not a bad situation for a young signal-caller.

On defense, Washington was solid last season, ranking 12th-best in yards per play allowed, and they would benefit in a big way if Chase Young can bounce back in 2023.

Washington coach Ron Rivera was able to notch eight wins last year despite dealing with quarterback concerns, and he did that in an NFC East that had three teams reach the postseason. The schedule doesn't figure to be any easier this year as the Commanders' slate ranks as the ninth-toughest by 2023 win totals.

numberFire expects the Commanders to finish with 7.2 wins, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. It's tough to see this team -- one with a pretty decent roster -- finishing with the league's worst record, but if Howell faceplants, it's certainly possible that the Commanders struggle mightily.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.