There have been many surprises this NFL season and through week eight there a surely more to come. Some have been good surprises, a player exploding for massive production, or a team going on a huge winning streak, but there have been plenty of negative surprises as well. Here are three of the biggest letdowns so far this NFL season.
1. Washington Football Team Running Back Antonio Gibson
After an electric rookie campaign, hopes were sky-high for this second-year back and he just hasn’t yet lived up to them. He has been hindered by injuries, both to him and to his offensive line. Although he hasn’t yet missed a game, he has been bothered nearly the whole season by an assortment of injuries, mainly a stress fracture in his shin. As of November 1st, the Washington Football Team has six offensive linemen on their injury report, three being starters. Staring right guard Brandon Scherff sprained his MCL, starting right tackle Sam Cosmi injured his ankle, and starting center Chase Roullier was carted off with another ankle injury on October 31st. There are claims to be made that Gibson could still break out this season, but with the 2-6 Football Team getting worse and worse, the chances of Gibson or any assorted linemen being shut down for the year is becoming greater.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (Whole Team)
As probably the most surprising item on this list, the Chiefs have been awful. At first glance, a 4-4 record doesn’t look that bad but compared to how they were projected to play, it looks terrible. A team with their kind of talent and who has reached two straight super bowls should never be four and four. The blame can never be on just one person, but Patrick Mahomes needs to take a step up to where he was the past two years. He has thrown 10 interceptions through eight games and most of them have been forcing the ball downfield when he could check down for guaranteed yards. Also, he hasn’t gotten much help from the defense. They have given up 25 touchdowns and 11 field goals already and have recorded a mere 11 sacks. With a mind like Andy Reid leading at head coach and the talent that they have on the field, a turnaround is possible but the rough start has put the playoffs in jeopardy for the Chiefs.
3. Tennessee Titans Wide Receiver Julio Jones
Julio Jones didn’t have the highest of expectations coming into this season, but he was expected to produce much more than he has so far. Jones has surpassed 60 yards in a game just once and has yet to score a touchdown. He has been bothered by injuries, specifically a hamstring injury, missing three games and exiting two early. Still, he has failed to perform when healthy. With A.J. Brown drawing safeties to the other side of the field, he should be open, but he lacks some of the release and spectacular catch skills that he possessed earlier in his career. Ryan Tannehill is a step down from Matt Ryan, but Jones just hasn’t been able to get open and then make plays after the catch.