Many teams across the league are still optimistic about their chances to make the playoffs after just three games of the NFL season, but some teams have much more reasons to be pessimistic. Here are five teams that have been total disasters so far this year:
Miami Dolphins
Remember when the Dolphins were the hot pick to unseat the Patriots atop the AFC East and make the Super Bowl? Yeah, those were good times.
After narrowling beating the Redskins in their opener, a loss to the Jaguars (of all teams) and a blowout defeat at the hands of the Bills has this team reeling. Miami's offense has been stagnant, ranking just 27th in scoring offense, largely due to quarterback Ryan Tannehill's ineffectiveness. Running back Lamar Miller (30 carries, 105 yards this season) hasn't had the breakout season he was expected to, and the defense has been subpar despite the addition of Ndamukong Suh. They appear to be all hype, but they have a chance to turn the season around with upcoming games against the Jets, Titans, and Texans.
Baltimore Ravens
Only five teams in NFL history have ever starting a season 0-3 and made the playoffs, which is terrible news for the next three teams on this list. Baltimore doesn't have the offense weapons around Joe Flacco to move the ball with any consistency, and Justin Forsett has been unable to produce at a high rate (39 carries, 124 yards this season) following a breakout year. The defense has lost it's sizzle without leader Terrell Suggs, who is out for the season with an Achillies injury, and the schedule in the tough AFC North doesn't do them any favorts.
New Orleans Saints
Many thought that last season was a blip on the radar for Drew Brees and Sean Payton, but now it seems more like a downward trend in the Big Easy. The passing game is still there, but the running game is still bad (26th in the league) and the defense hasn't improved (26th in the league). With their next four games coming against the Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, and Colts, it's very possible the Saints could be 0-7.
Detroit Lions
Detroit's 0-3 start is depressing enough, but with their next two contests coming against the Seahawks and Cardinals, their record could very easily be 0-5 in the blink of an eye. The Lions were expected to compete for the Super Bowl after coming off a playoff berth a year ago, but quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't been able to take the offense forward (they've actually regressed on that side of the ball) and the defense hasn't recovered from losing Ndamukong Suh. If you're a Lions fan, all you have to look forward to is getting a high draft pick and hopefully improving for next year.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco's opening Monday night victory over the Vikings seems like a lot longer than two weeks ago. The 49ers have been outscored 90-25 in two blowout losses on the road to the Steelers and Cardinals, and their schedule doesn't get any easier with games against the Packers, Giants, and Seahawks on deck. They're dead last in the NFLin scoring offense, 30th in passing offense, and are giving up the second most points in the league. Right now, there's nothing positive to point to with this team.
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