With just two weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus - and for some teams, that’s not a good thing. While a handful of spots are still up for grabs, most of the postseason field is already set. That means it’s time to talk about the teams that didn’t just fall short - they flat-out disappointed.
And no, the Cleveland Browns don’t make that list. Despite some fan frustration, the Browns weren’t expected to be a playoff team this year.
The betting markets set realistic expectations, and Cleveland mostly played to script. But for a few other teams, the 2025 season has been a gut punch - either because of preseason hype that didn’t pan out, or key injuries that derailed promising campaigns.
Here’s a look at the five most disappointing teams of the 2025 NFL season:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)
Let’s start with the biggest shocker. The Chiefs - a team synonymous with postseason success over the last half-decade - are staring at a double-digit loss season and a long offseason ahead.
Patrick Mahomes’ torn ACL was the turning point, no question. Losing your franchise quarterback is a body blow for any team, but especially one that relies so heavily on his playmaking magic.
Still, the issues in Kansas City run deeper than one injury. The offensive line struggled, the run game never found its rhythm, and the defense couldn’t pick up the slack.
This team has been the NFL’s gold standard, but now, the dynasty feels like it’s on pause. Reloading is possible - Mahomes isn’t going anywhere - but it may take more than just a healthy QB to get back to championship form.
2. Detroit Lions
Coming into the season, Detroit looked like a true Super Bowl contender. They had the roster, the swagger, and the momentum from a deep playoff run last year.
But that momentum didn’t carry over. The Lions have already been eliminated from playoff contention, and their Christmas Day loss to another team on this list only added salt to the wound.
It’s fair to wonder if the magic left when offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took head coaching jobs elsewhere last offseason. The Lions haven’t looked like the same team - not in execution, not in identity. For a franchise that finally felt like it had turned the corner, this season has been a harsh reminder that success in the NFL is fragile.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ season took a hit the moment Joe Burrow went down. That’s the headline - and it’s a big one.
But here’s the twist: the offense didn’t completely fall apart. Joe Flacco stepped in and kept things afloat, at least on that side of the ball.
That’s where the concern creeps in.
If the offense was still productive, why did the team spiral? The defense didn’t hold up its end, and the team’s overall performance raised more questions than answers.
Injuries matter, but they can’t explain everything. For a team that’s been a fixture in the AFC playoff race, missing the postseason entirely is a step backward - and one that could force some tough conversations in Cincinnati this offseason.
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made some bold moves at quarterback this offseason, moving on from Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in favor of rookie JJ McCarthy. On paper, it made sense.
In reality, it hasn’t worked out. McCarthy hasn’t provided clarity at the position, and the team finds itself on the outside looking in after entering the year with NFC Championship aspirations.
This was supposed to be a team ready to compete now - not one stuck in QB limbo. The defense has had its moments, but without consistent quarterback play, the Vikings haven’t been able to string together wins when it mattered. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that thought it was finally past the rebuild stage.
5. Dallas Cowboys
It’s almost become an annual tradition - the Cowboys enter the season with sky-high expectations, only to fall short. But this year’s version of disappointment feels different.
Dallas made a head-scratching move by trading away one of the league’s top defenders, only to bring in another solid player at a less impactful position. The net result?
A defense that took a step back and an offense that couldn’t carry the load.
Now, the Cowboys are hoping to scratch out a .500 season - 8-8-1 in a 17-game schedule - which is far below what fans, media, and the front office expected. With a roster that still boasts talent, the Cowboys’ inability to put it all together continues to be one of the league’s most frustrating narratives.
Honorable Mention: Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens
One of these AFC North rivals is going to miss the playoffs - and that alone is enough to earn a spot on the disappointment radar.
Most signs point to the Ravens being the odd team out after Saturday night, which would be a tough end to a season that had legitimate promise. Both teams have had stretches of strong play, but in a division this competitive, someone was always going to come up short.
Bottom Line:
Every NFL season delivers its share of surprises, and 2025 has been no exception.
Injuries, coaching changes, and unmet expectations have shaken up the league’s power structure. For these five teams - and a few others - the offseason will be about more than rest and recovery.
It’ll be about soul-searching, retooling, and figuring out how to turn disappointment into motivation. Because in this league, the window to win never stays open for long.