The Packers, Cowboys and Giants hope to avoid that experience. Here is why all three favorites should not take their Thursday opponents lightly:
Packers at Lions, 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Why the Lions could win: Matthew Stafford (left shoulder injury) is not expected to play, making the Lions an even bigger long shot. But the Packers lost two defensive starters for the season in Week 11 — LB Aaron Kampman and CB Al Harris. And a come-from-behind victory like the Lions' 35-34 win against the Browns on Sunday can change the attitude of a downtrodden team.
"I think winning creates confidence," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "Anytime you're losing, people question themselves, and then they question a lot of different things. I don't want to make too much from one win, but I think it does help players have confidence."
Raiders at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. (EST)
Why the Raiders could win: The Raiders are more dangerous with Bruce Gradkowski at QB, as they proved when they upset the Bengals. "I think every sports writer and commentator had Cincinnati picked to win that game," Cowboys DE Marcus Spears said. "Those guys are going to play hard."
Two of the Raiders' three victories have come against winning teams, the Eagles and the Bengals. Despite their 3-8 record, the Raiders have not packed it in for the season.
"We still have something to play for, we're still trying to straighten out this football team," coach Tom Cable said. "It has not been easy. It has been very difficult, quite honestly. I just think we've got a lot of guys who still care about what goes on this season."
Cowboys QB Tony Romo has a sore back, and Dallas has been held to seven points in each of its past two games. The Raiders may have the defense to keep the game low-scoring, like the Redskins did in their 7-6 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
"I think that we've made some improvement in a lot of areas on defense," Cable said. "But it's tough to play defense on a team that struggles to score points and turns it over as much as we have. I'm the one guy, I think, in the universe who thinks we are headed in the right direction. We got to keep building on it. We have to back up a win with another win."
Giants at Broncos, 8:20 p.m. (EST)
Why the Broncos could win: They are desperate and angry, riding a four-game losing streak. After being dominated by the Chargers, 32-3, on Sunday, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels thinks his players cannot wait until kickoff. "On a four-game losing streak, we are eager to get back on the field," McDaniels said. "This might be a good time for our team."
The Giants (6-4) are still banged up, despite ending their four-game losing streak Sunday. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (sprained ankle), wearing a walking boot Tuesday, is questionable for Thursday night. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (neck injury) has been ruled out.
Even in victory, the Giants last Sunday yielded 31 points to the Falcons, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Denver performs better at home, and Giants coach Tom Coughlin admitted he did not have a sure answer for his team's defensive woes.
"I wish I had an answer," Coughlin said. "If I had an answer, it would be the end of it. We have not been able to stop those consistent pass drives late in the game."
Packers at Lions, 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Why the Lions could win: Matthew Stafford (left shoulder injury) is not expected to play, making the Lions an even bigger long shot. But the Packers lost two defensive starters for the season in Week 11 — LB Aaron Kampman and CB Al Harris. And a come-from-behind victory like the Lions' 35-34 win against the Browns on Sunday can change the attitude of a downtrodden team.
"I think winning creates confidence," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "Anytime you're losing, people question themselves, and then they question a lot of different things. I don't want to make too much from one win, but I think it does help players have confidence."
Raiders at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. (EST)
Why the Raiders could win: The Raiders are more dangerous with Bruce Gradkowski at QB, as they proved when they upset the Bengals. "I think every sports writer and commentator had Cincinnati picked to win that game," Cowboys DE Marcus Spears said. "Those guys are going to play hard."
Two of the Raiders' three victories have come against winning teams, the Eagles and the Bengals. Despite their 3-8 record, the Raiders have not packed it in for the season.
"We still have something to play for, we're still trying to straighten out this football team," coach Tom Cable said. "It has not been easy. It has been very difficult, quite honestly. I just think we've got a lot of guys who still care about what goes on this season."
Cowboys QB Tony Romo has a sore back, and Dallas has been held to seven points in each of its past two games. The Raiders may have the defense to keep the game low-scoring, like the Redskins did in their 7-6 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
"I think that we've made some improvement in a lot of areas on defense," Cable said. "But it's tough to play defense on a team that struggles to score points and turns it over as much as we have. I'm the one guy, I think, in the universe who thinks we are headed in the right direction. We got to keep building on it. We have to back up a win with another win."
Giants at Broncos, 8:20 p.m. (EST)
Why the Broncos could win: They are desperate and angry, riding a four-game losing streak. After being dominated by the Chargers, 32-3, on Sunday, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels thinks his players cannot wait until kickoff. "On a four-game losing streak, we are eager to get back on the field," McDaniels said. "This might be a good time for our team."
The Giants (6-4) are still banged up, despite ending their four-game losing streak Sunday. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (sprained ankle), wearing a walking boot Tuesday, is questionable for Thursday night. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (neck injury) has been ruled out.
Even in victory, the Giants last Sunday yielded 31 points to the Falcons, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Denver performs better at home, and Giants coach Tom Coughlin admitted he did not have a sure answer for his team's defensive woes.
"I wish I had an answer," Coughlin said. "If I had an answer, it would be the end of it. We have not been able to stop those consistent pass drives late in the game."