The Los Angeles Chargers lead the midseason list of biggest NFL disappointments at 0-8. Jim Harbaugh’s team was expected to contend. Protection failures helped derail those plans.
The rankings use records through Week 9. Archived preseason win totals anchor the ranking. Championship expectations and roster decisions carry extra weight in close calls.
11. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are 3-6 in Mike LaFleur’s first season. The Cardinals entered with a 3.5-win line. Arizona’s biggest setback is the abrupt shift in its quarterback evaluation.
Jacoby Brissett was traded before Week 9. Gardner Minshew II lasted one start before a season-ending injury. Carson Beck inherits the job with Michael Wilson on injured reserve.
The Cardinals scored four touchdowns on their last 17 red-zone trips. Three came in one comeback. Arizona must give Beck chances to finish drives before judging his results.
Tight end Trey McBride gives Beck an established early-down target. Completions there can limit obvious passing downs. LaFleur can evaluate Beck’s decisions before defenses anticipate a throw.
10. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are 1-7 against a 3.5-win preseason line. The Dolphins have lost all four home games. Miami has scored just 126 points.
The Week 9 breakdown details how the Detroit Lions held the Dolphins to 182 yards. Miami kicked three field goals. The offense never reached the end zone.
The Dolphins score 15.8 points per game. Miami averaged 20.4 last season. The scoring decline puts the Dolphins above the Cardinals despite identical preseason win lines.
9. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are 2-5-1 against a 7.5-win preseason line. The Commanders have lost all three road games. Washington’s latest defeat came at home.
Jayden Daniels crossed midfield against the Los Angeles Rams. Myles Garrett’s third-down sack cost 12 yards. The Commanders entered the fourth quarter tied and lost 20-13.
Daniels finished with 274 passing yards and zero interceptions. Washington still scored 13 points. The decisive sack mattered more than the yardage total.
The Commanders were expected to approach .500. Miami entered with a much lower bar. Washington’s larger shortfall puts it higher on the list.
8. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are 4-5 against a 9.5-win line. The Cowboys average 27.3 points. Dallas gives up 26.2, leaving a slim margin despite Dak Prescott’s production.
The overtime loss to Arizona showed the cost. The Cowboys led 17-3 before Minshew threw three touchdown passes. Dallas scored 30 and lost.
Prescott helped the Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-23. Dallas took the lead on Javonte Williams’ late touchdown. An interception secured the win.
The Quinnen Williams deal sends the New York Jets the better of two first-rounders. The Cowboys’ selection would currently convey. Dallas would keep the Green Bay Packers’ pick.
7. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans entered with a 9.5-win line. The Texans reached their bye at 2-5. Houston ranked 28th in pass defense entering Week 9.
C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-22 win. The Texans recorded eight sacks. Houston improved to 3-5.
The Jacksonville Jaguars lead the AFC South at 6-2. The Texans sit three games back. Houston is on pace for 6.4 wins to Dallas’ 7.6.
6. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts entered with an 8.5-win line. The team has lost five straight under Shane Steichen. Indianapolis is 2-7 and has allowed 249 points.
The Colts traded two starters in October. Guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner left. Indianapolis now has holes on both lines.
The Jets hold the Colts’ 2027 first-round pick from the Sauce Gardner trade. Indianapolis occupied the fourth draft slot after Week 9. Losing helps another team select sooner.
The Colts made that trade while pursuing a playoff berth last season. The commitment made sense for a contender. Indianapolis now has to rebuild around its cost.
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are 5-4 after winning the Super Bowl. The Seahawks entered with a 10.5-win line. Seattle trails the 7-1 San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
Sam Darnold missed Week 9 with a quad injury. Drew Lock led the division win over the Cardinals. AJ Barner scored twice before halftime.
Lock has zero interceptions in 76 attempts. Darnold has nine in 211 attempts. Lock’s smaller workload gives the Seahawks less evidence about his long-term play.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens entered with a 10.5-win line. The Ravens started 4-1 before losing four straight. Baltimore is already 0-2 in the AFC North.
The Brissett trade gives the Ravens a veteran while Lamar Jackson recovers. Baltimore scored 20 combined points in its last two losses. Opponents scored 69.
Joe Fagnano threw for 60 yards against the Jaguars. Brissett can stabilize that passing game. Parker Washington’s 50-yard touchdown exposed a coverage problem the defense must solve.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams entered the season with an 11.5-win line. Los Angeles projects roughly two wins below it. The Ravens project nearly three below their 10.5 line.
Baltimore has slipped further by that measure. The Rams entered at +500 to win the Super Bowl, compared with +1100 for the Ravens. The shorter title odds explain third place.
Matthew Stafford has nine interceptions through nine games. Los Angeles opened 2-4 with the reigning MVP. The Rams need seven wins in eight games to clear their line.
Garrett delivered three sacks in his first game back from knee surgery. Los Angeles now stands at 5-4. The Rams have won three straight.
The Cleveland Browns acquired the 2027 first-round pick in the Garrett trade. Los Angeles paid to improve its title chances now. Garrett’s return helps justify that price.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles entered with a 10.5-win line. The Eagles opened 2-0 and have lost seven straight. Philadelphia placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve in October.
The New York Giants sacked Joe Milton III seven times in a 19-11 win. The Eagles gained 220 yards. Philadelphia scored no second-half touchdowns.
Saquon Barkley should ease pressure on a replacement quarterback. Poor blocking creates tougher passing downs. Better protection would let the Eagles evaluate Milton fairly.
1. Los Angeles Chargers Lead The Biggest NFL Disappointments
The Chargers entered with a 9.5-win line. Los Angeles can win all nine remaining games and still finish below it. The Chargers are the league’s only winless team.
Philadelphia is on pace for roughly four wins. Harbaugh’s team remains on pace for zero. The larger projected shortfall puts Los Angeles first.
Justin Herbert ended a 37-drive touchdown drought with a 58-yard pass to Quentin Johnston. The Texans already led 41-9. The Chargers still lost by 22.
Los Angeles surrendered eight sacks in the home defeat. The Chargers started one second-quarter drive at Houston’s 38 after an interception. The offense gained one first down.
A field goal left Los Angeles trailing 10-9. Two plays later, Stroud threw a 63-yard touchdown. The Chargers turned a takeaway into three points.
The Rams had intercepted Herbert twice the previous week. The offense scored nine points that week. Los Angeles has struggled with protection and ball security.
End Of My Biggest NFL Disappointments Rant
Among the biggest NFL disappointments, the Rams have the clearest recovery path. Garrett can close games. Stafford needs to give the pass rush leads to protect.
The Eagles can measure progress in sacks avoided. Baltimore can measure it in explosive passes prevented. The Chargers need touchdowns off short fields.
