The NFL starts with every team 0-0 and believing it has the same chance to win it all. Not likely.
There are the contenders, pretenders, and doormats. The latter are playing for draft position before they kick off, they have that much of a challenge to find any modicum of success in the 17 games they will play.
A look at teams whose hopes and dreams will be dashed when they are awaken when September ends, or the Dismal Dozen.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
There won't be any miracles in the Steel City in Aaron Rodgers' last go-round. The Ravens and Bengals are better and three teams from the AFC North aren't heading to the postseason.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are in a weak division. Baker Mayfield isn't happy with his contract situation. It may be deep in the teams that don't make the playoffs
but Tampa Bay's season seems headed more South than toward the postseason.
10. Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones is back and that will help somewhat. But the Colts won't be the team they were in the first half of 2025. They are more likely to be the squad that finished poorly.
9. Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels needs a rebound season or he is on the verge of being the next version of Robert Griffin III in Washington.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Tua Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback? Hilarious.
7. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona could improve but that won't matter much wnen it is in a division with the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers.
6. New York Giants
John Harbaugh had a lot more talent in Baltimore. He's going to need to work a miracle to get the Giants to .500.
5. Tennessee Titans
Poor Cam Ward. By the time the Titans get good, he may be a shell of himself after taking so many hits.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Will Fernando Mendoza be the starting QB in October because Kirk Cousins and the Raiders have been so bad in September?
3. New York Jets
Geno Smith led the Raiders to the draft promised land ... the first overall pick. Will he do it again for the Jets?
2. Cleveland Browns
Choosing Deshaun Watson as your quarterback is an automatic step in the wrong direction
1. Miami Dolphins
Jeff Hafley liked what he saw of Malik Willis in Green Bay. He won't be happy when he realizes the quarterback has way worst talent around him in Miami.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL Dismal Dozen, teams unlikely to make the postseason
