Three NFL Teams Spiralling After High Expectations This Year
The 2025 NFL season brought big dreams for several rising teams. The Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons all expected strong playoff runs after impressive progress last year. Instead, each team now represents the perfect example of NFL teams spiralling after high expectations. The problems come from shaky quarterback play, constant injuries, and a level of inconsistency that killed early momentum.
The Commanders entered the year with serious Super Bowl expectations. Many analysts even picked them to win it all after reaching the NFC Championship last season. They carried a veteran roster and added help on offense with the arrival of Deebo Samuel. The optimism faded fast. Jayden Daniels played through injuries all season and now likely misses the remainder of the year with a dislocated elbow. Terry McLaurin earned a new contract but he has missed time after multiple injuries. The offense never looked crisp. The defense looked average as well, which created more problems because the Commanders have the oldest roster in the league. The team recently dropped six straight games, including a rough loss to Miami in Madrid. Their season now feels finished. The best thing they can do is regroup, take advantage of their likely high draft pick, and come back stronger next year.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings won fourteen games last year and entered this season with at least playoff-level expectations. They expected stability and progress with a strong coaching staff and a talented roster. They now sit at 4-6 and the season continues to slip from their hands. A big reason comes from the quarterback spot. Minnesota traded up in the 2024 NFL Draft to select J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. They trusted him to become the franchise quarterback and believed he could take the next step right away. He has not reached that standard yet. He has more interceptions than touchdowns, and he struggles to read defenses. Fans even questioned whether the team should have kept Sam Darnold, who is playing excellent football in Seattle. The Vikings still believe in McCarthy because he is a rookie and still learning. The problem is if he doesn’t pan out he could send the franchise back a few years. Five of their final seven games come against tough opponents. That includes the Packers twice, Seahawks, Cowboys, and Lions. The Vikings now sit in real danger of missing the playoffs despite a great season last year.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons entered the year with real optimism. They upgraded the defensive line by selecting Jalen Walker and James Pearce in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. They wanted improvement in the pass rush, and they actually achieved it. The problem came from inconsistency. Atlanta looked legit one week and lost control the next week. The inconsistency then turned into a collapse. The Falcons now sit on a five-game losing streak, and their roster continues to fall apart. Michael Penix suffered a partially torn ACL and will likely miss the rest of the season. Superstar receiver Drake London will also miss time with a PCL sprain. The team sits at 3-7, and the more frustrating part comes from the draft. Their first-round pick belongs to the Los Angeles Rams because of the trade-up for James Pearce in the 2025 Draft. A struggling team with no first-round pick creates a rough outlook for the future.
These three teams began the season with real ambition. At this point, they are spiralling after high expectations. They are now fighting to keep the year respectable after falling far below expectations.
Main Photo Credit: Lisi Niesner/Reuters via Imagn Images
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