It’s been a wild ride in the NFL this season - the kind of year that flips expectations on their head and reminds us just how unpredictable this league can be. For some teams to rise, others had to fall hard. And among those taking the steepest tumble are a few names we’re not used to seeing on the wrong side of the standings.
Let’s start with the Kansas City Chiefs. A team that’s been the gold standard in the AFC for years is already out of the playoff picture, and they didn’t just go quietly - they got rolled by a Tennessee Titans squad that’s been fighting through its own struggles. That loss wasn’t just a blip; it was a statement that the dynasty, at least for this season, has hit a wall.
Then there’s the Detroit Lions, a team that came into the year with sky-high expectations and a roster built to make noise. But now, with two weeks left, they’re clinging to playoff hopes that are hanging by a thread. It’s not impossible, but it’s going to take more than just a strong finish - they’ll need some help along the way.
"I think this is the most disappointing team in the NFL this season."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 22, 2025
—@danorlovsky7 😳 pic.twitter.com/BYkJ1AzFU8
But if we’re talking about disappointment, the conversation has to land on the Baltimore Ravens. Sitting at 7-8 after a gut-wrenching loss to the New England Patriots, this team has found new ways to let games slip away.
The latest heartbreak came after they gave up a late lead to a Patriots squad that’s been searching for answers all season. That one might’ve been the final blow in a season full of missed opportunities.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky didn’t mince words on Get Up Monday morning. “I think this is the most disappointing team in the NFL this season,” he said.
“When you’re that, something will have to change.” And it’s hard to argue with him.
This Ravens team came into the year with one of the most stacked rosters in the AFC. Talent-wise, they looked like a legit Super Bowl contender.
But the results haven’t matched the potential.
One of the most baffling moments from Sunday’s loss? Derrick Henry - the engine of this offense, the kind of back who can wear down a defense and take over a game - didn’t get a single carry in the final 12 minutes and 50 seconds.
That’s not a typo. In a one-score game with everything on the line, Baltimore’s bruising back was a non-factor down the stretch.
Orlovsky pointed out what many fans were thinking: “This is far too often a common occurrence where we sit there and go, ‘How come Derrick Henry’s not getting the ball more?’”
It’s a fair question, and one that speaks to deeper issues with game management and offensive identity. This wasn’t just a bad day - it was emblematic of a season where the Ravens have consistently failed to close out games they should’ve won.
Still, the door to the postseason hasn’t slammed shut just yet. If Baltimore can take care of business against the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Cleveland Browns, Week 18 turns into a win-and-in scenario. It’s not the most comfortable spot to be in, but it’s a lifeline.
If they can’t pull it off, though, the Ravens will be staring down another long offseason filled with tough questions. And this time, the answers might involve more than just tweaks - we could be looking at real changes inside the organization.
For now, Baltimore’s season hangs in the balance. The talent is there.
The window, somehow, is still cracked open. But if they want to keep it from slamming shut, they’ll have to find a way to stop beating themselves - and start leaning on the stars who were supposed to carry them.