GREEN BAY, Wisconsin: The Detroit Lions set a new benchmark for National Football League futility Sunday as they completed the first 0-16 winless season with a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes to lead the Packers to a 31-21 victory over the Lions, who were unable to avoid writing their names in the record books.

Detroit joined the 1976 Tampa Buccaneers, who went 0-14, as the only winless teams in the Super Bowl era. Two years later, the league expanded to a 16-game season, paving the way for Detroit's dubious achievement.