NFL Disappointment XI: A Season of Woe

NFL 2025 Season: A Deep Dive into the Most Disappointing Teams

As the 2025 NFL regular season draws to a close, the landscape is littered with teams that failed to meet lofty expectations. While some franchises are celebrating exceeding preseason odds, a significant number are left to ponder what went wrong. This article delves into the teams that have most profoundly disappointed, focusing on those expected to contend but instead faltered.

Washington Commanders: From Playoff Hopefuls to Rebuilding Mode

The Washington Commanders stand as a prime example of a team that has fallen drastically short of expectations. After a promising showing in 2024, many predicted a playoff berth for the Commanders in 2025. However, a closer look at the roster revealed underlying weaknesses, and the struggles of second-year quarterback Jaden Daniels have been central to their downfall. “Rookie quarterbacks often struggle in year two,” was a prescient observation, and for Daniels, injuries have significantly hampered his development. The defense, already a concern, proved porous from the outset, unable to stop even basic plays. Key players like Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler, and Zack Z have also battled injuries, further depleting the team’s depth. The offense, whether led by Daniels or Jacoby Brissett, has been consistently mediocre, struggling to close out tight games. A pivotal moment, a crucial fumble against the Bears in the fourth quarter, not only cost them that game but ignited a seven-game losing streak, effectively ending their playoff aspirations. The Commanders were expected to be a playoff contender; instead, they are looking towards a significant offseason overhaul.

Detroit Lions: Post-Coordinator Collapse

The Detroit Lions, fresh off a dominant 15-2 season in 2024, were widely expected to remain one of the league’s elite teams. However, the departure of their “A+ coordinators” proved to be a more significant blow than anticipated. While the team started strong, averaging over 40 points in their first five games, their performance began to unravel in crucial matchups. Losses to the Chiefs and a surprising home defeat to the Vikings, followed by an offensive no-show against the Eagles, signaled trouble. The most damning indictment came in the season’s final stretch. After clawing their way back to an 8-5 record, the Lions suffered a catastrophic three-game losing streak, culminating in an embarrassing 45-10 defeat to the Vikings, featuring a staggering six turnovers, five by Jared Goff. This collapse officially eliminated them from playoff contention, a stark contrast to their near-perfect 2024 campaign. Many point to the loss of their coordinators, combined with key injuries, as the primary reasons for this dramatic regression.

Minnesota Vikings: McCarthy’s Rocky Transition

The Minnesota Vikings entered 2025 with high hopes for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was expected to build upon the success of Sam Darnold’s 2024 campaign. Oddsmakers projected a 9-10 win season, bolstered by a talented roster and strong coaching. However, McCarthy’s transition to the starting role has been far from smooth. After an “atrocious” start in his first eight quarters, he missed five games due to injury. The team struggled through a period with Carson Wentz before McCarthy returned. Despite leading the Vikings to a victory over the Lions, his individual performance has been a major concern. “It became painfully evident that J.J. McCarthy wasn’t ready to run this offense,” a sentiment echoed by his dismal statistics, including a 27.5 QBR and more interceptions than touchdowns in his first seven starts. The Vikings, who boasted one of the league’s top offenses in 2024, have plummeted to one of the worst. While a late-season four-game winning streak, including a win over the Lions, has improved their record to 8-8, the overall season has been a significant disappointment, raising uncomfortable questions about McCarthy’s future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A Stunning Mid-Season Meltdown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to contend for the NFC South title after a solid 10-7 season in 2024. With most key pieces returning and a strong start to 2025, including a 6-2 record and Baker Mayfield looking like an MVP candidate with four fourth-quarter comebacks, the Buccaneers seemed on track for a top seed. However, their season has been defined by one of the most significant mid-season collapses in recent memory, losing seven of their last eight games. “This shocked me considering I predicted that they would make the NFC championship,” one observer noted. The defense has been “horrendous,” and Mayfield’s performance has drastically declined after a strong start. His passer rating and touchdown-to-interception ratio have nosedived in the latter half of the season. The team’s struggles have led to widespread calls for head coach Todd Bowles to be fired.

Arizona Cardinals: Murray’s Uncertain Future

The Arizona Cardinals, a franchise often in afterthought status, were not expected to be dominant but rather to replicate their 8-9 record from 2024. Instead, the season unraveled quickly. Kyler Murray was benched by week five due to injury and poor play, and many believe his time in Arizona is over. Despite starting 2-0, the Cardinals then dropped five straight. Ironically, the offense has shown more promise with Clayton Tune at the helm, offering a more traditional approach. While Trey McBride has had an All-Pro season, the run game remains anemic, and the defense is “atrocious.” Outside of McBride and perhaps Budda Baker, there are few redeeming qualities for this team, which appears to be in need of a complete rebuild.

Atlanta Falcons: Coaching and Quarterback Quandaries

The Atlanta Falcons, coming off an 8-9 season and seeking relevance, have been a “travesty” in 2025. Bizarre quarterback decisions in 2024, including signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative deal while drafting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round, cast a shadow. Despite a promising early win against the Bills, the Falcons dropped five straight, including being blown out by the Dolphins and suffering two overtime losses. Penix Jr. showed flashes of potential but suffered a season-ending torn ACL in week nine, his fifth major surgery. Kirk Cousins has also struggled to elevate the team. The Falcons have been unable to play “complimentary football,” and despite making their record look more respectable late in the season, they have been out of playoff contention for some time. Questions surrounding the coaching staff will be paramount in the offseason.

Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow’s Injury and Defensive Woes

The Cincinnati Bengals, who had enjoyed four consecutive winning seasons, saw their fortunes change drastically when Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury in week three. The subsequent play of Jake Browning was so poor that the team brought in Joe Flacco, who surprisingly played well but couldn’t translate that into wins. The defense, which hindered their playoff hopes in 2024 (ranking 25th in scoring), has become “downright pathetic” in 2025, allowing 48 points to the Vikings and 47 to the Bears. “It’s been so bad that even if Joe Burrow had been fully healthy and playing at his best, they wouldn’t have a much better record,” it’s argued. The Bengals face a critical offseason, needing significant roster renovations to avoid a scenario where Burrow, like Andrew Luck, is forced out by a losing environment. The 21st-ranked offensive line, a persistent issue in the Burrow era, further compounds their problems.

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar’s Regression and Defensive Decline

During Lamar Jackson’s tenure, the Baltimore Ravens have typically dominated the regular season. However, 2025 has seen a significant regression. Lamar Jackson himself has not been as dominant, struggling with injuries and effectiveness upon his return. His numbers have declined sharply after a strong start, attributed to a combination of an “average receiver corps, poor offensive line play, poor coaching, being banged up, as well as just Lamar playing bad.” Simultaneously, the defense has “regressed heavily,” with their points allowed per game increasing steadily over the past two years. While the Ravens are in a “win and you’re in” scenario for week 18 against Pittsburgh, their overall performance has fallen short of the 11-12 win expectations. The looming question of John Harbaugh’s future adds another layer of uncertainty.

Kansas City Chiefs: A Playoff Drought and Mahomes’ Injury

For non-Chiefs fans, the team’s 0-2 start to 2025 was a cause for celebration. While they recovered to win five of their next six, the losses were consistently close, highlighting a troubling trend: the inability to win “those type of games” that defined their championship runs. Their late-season fortune seemingly vanished. Key losses to Jacksonville, Buffalo, Denver, Dallas, and Houston, the latter dropping them below .500, culminated in a week 15 loss to the Chargers that officially eliminated them from the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The ultimate heartbreak came when Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in that same game. This marks an “absolute worst-case scenario” for Kansas City, with their current record feeling surreal, especially compared to teams like the Dolphins, who have outperformed them.

Source: The Most Disappointing NFL Teams in 2025 (YouTube)