In the NFL, the only constant is change, so there's bound to be some disappointing teams every season. However, there have been even more teams this season that haven't lived up to expectations than in previous seasons. Some of these teams have a chance to turn things around, while others do not. Here are the 5 most disappointing NFL teams thus far this season:
Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers usually wait until down the stretch or in the playoffs to choke away their season. But they won't get a chance to do that because their season has already been a disappointment. Nonetheless, 3 of the Chargers' 4 losses have been by a single score. Similarly to the previous three seasons, the Chargers have a roster loaded with talent and not much winning to show for it. Mike Williams's season-ending ACL tear in week 3 was a major blow to the receiving core, as Williams was on pace for a 1,500+ yard season.
However, the main factor that caused this underperformance is poor coaching. There's no sugar-coating the fact that Brandon Staley is a bad NFL coach. After Staley blew a 27-0 lead in the 2022 Wild Card round, I was genuinley surprised that he kept his job. He also questionably called a timeout in week 17 of the 2021 season, causing an overtime loss and missed playoff berth. Staley's most recent miscue was deciding to pass the ball on a 4th-and-1, causing a 20-17 week 6 loss to the Cowboys. If the Chargers want to turn their season around, Brandon Staley must be fired. But this unfortunately means that things will have to get worse before it gets better.
New England Patriots:
Heading into the season, the Patriots had a high floor and a low ceiling with an expected range of 7-9 wins. However, Bill Bilichick's squad has been uncharacteristically bad. Sitting at an abysmal 2-6, and having a tough schedule, winning seven games would be a steep uphill battle for the underperforming Patriots. The defense is not as strong as in previous seasons, but the real issue with this team is the offense. The Pats have scored the 3rd-worst amount of points this season, and are yet to have a bye week.
The two main problems with this offense is quarterback Mac Jones's inability to read defenses and the lacking receiving core. Let's start with the quarterback situtation: After watching a few Patriots' games, its' clear that Mac Jones cannot read the safety robber, a common defensive play that involves a strong safety moving toward a targeted receiver once the quarterback starts his motion, mainly preventing cross routes. But Jones continuously fails to see when the safety moves toward a receiver, thus throwing the second-most interceptions this season. The third-year quarterback has been making rookie mistakes.
Nevertheless, the Patriots' receivers have also made this offense lack sufficient production. Kendrick Bourne, the team's no.1 wideout, ranks 41st in yards, and their other pass-catchers rank nowhere close to that. The free agency aquisition of Juju Smith-Schuster was supposed to improve the receiving squad, but Schuster has completely bombed. The blame for this disappotinting receiving core sits squarely on Bill Bilichick. Billichick continuously drafting defenders instead of receivers year after year is catching up to him. Due to his vast control over the team with his coaching and general managing duties, he must be blamed for his team's lack of success. Its' hard to see how things could get better for the Patriots, but Billichick will find a way because his seat is getting very hot.
New York Giants:
After one of the most unexpected playoff berths in 2022, the Giants are coming back down to earth, with a dreadful 2-6 record. Eight games of horrendous Giants' football has made their 10-7 2022 record and seem like a different universe. The Giants' offense has regressed massively, ranking dead last in points scored and are yet to have a bye week.
The quarterback situation is a mess, with starter Daniel Jones recording one of his worst career seasons and an atrocious 2-6 touchdown to interception ratio. But after Jones endured a neck injury in week 5, backups Tyrod Taylor and Tommy Devito haven't exactly picked up the slack. Combine a quarterback situation in disarray with a receiving core that ranks 3rd-to-last in yards, and you have the NFL's worst passing offense by a country mile. Daniel Jones will return this Sunday against the Raiders, with expectations for his performance varied.
What's even more frustrating about this team is that the defense has actually made games winnable lately, but the offense can't get enough production to win games. Thanks to a stellar pass rush led by young edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants' defense has allowed an average of 11.3 points through the past three games. The Giants need to enter in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes, as they need a franchise quarterback and contention is not currently realistic.
Carolina Panthers:
Expectations were varied for the Panthers heading into the 2023 season, but few expected them do be 1-6. The arrival of Heisman winner Bryce Young, and the free agency aquisitions of running back Miles Sanders and receiver Adam Thielen supposedly made the Panthers borderline contenders. But halfway through the season, it's clear that this team is still rebuilding and far from contention.
Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has been struggling mightily. The playstyle that he used in college of improvising after checking just one read did not fly in the NFL, with much more skilled defenders. Young has had to adjust, thus him and the offense has undergone plenty of growing pains. Veteran Wide receiver Adam Thielen is having one of his career-best seasons, but Miles Sanders has been rarely used in the red zone, despite him being a red zone running back. But besides Thielen, the Panthers' receiving core is pretty desolate of consistent separation and explosive plays, making things more difficult for their rookie QB.
The Panthers are still a rebuilding team, so it may take another offseason of improvements and more experience from their young quarterback to make them legitimate contenders.
Green Bay Packers:
Heading into the season, the expectations were that the Packers' success would depend on the performance of quarterback Jordan Love, who was finally taking the starting role after backing up Aaron Rodgers for three years. While Love's performance has not been spectacular, several other factors are contributing to Green Bay's disappointing 2-5 record.
The lack of playmakers in the receiving core makes things more difficult for their inexperienced quarterback. The Packers lack a 1,000+ yard receiver, as well as depth, with Romeo Doubs being the only wideout to top 200 yards this season. Christian Watson can make explosive plays, but he is not consistent enough. The Packers not drafting receivers in the first rounds of the 2022 and 2023 drafts have caught up to them.
Head coach Matt Lafleur's play calling has simply been bad. The scheme that involved mainly screen passes and outside handoffs worked decently well last season with a similar roster on offense. Nevertheless, Lafleur has called way too many deep passes, though the team has failed misarably with throwing the ball deep. The offense lacks identity, and can't stay on the field, making the defense fatigued and disappearing late in games. To turn things around, the offense needs to find an identity and better play calling to compensate for a lack of talent in the receiving department. But if things don't get better, Matt Lafleur must be fired.
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