I prefer drastically devastating seasons to 8-8 seasons.
They leave no doubt as to the deeply flawed and destructive nature of those in charge of football operations. They are publicly displayed with no possible attempt at denial.
With 8-8, you are sitting on a fence. perhaps you can mount a few weak arguments in defense...."a game or play away from a winning season....". An 8-8 team can even occasionally make it to the playoffs and trick fans into thinking they had a chance.
However, a nice fat, healthy, lopsided disaster like 5-12 will leave no doubt.