5 most disappointing NFL teams so far in 2018

4. Minnesota Vikings

After a 13-3 regular season and an NFC Championship Game appearance last year, expectations got greater with the addition of Kirk Cousins last offseason. Cousins has been as good (or even better) than advertised so far, averaging over 337 passing yards per game. But prior to a solid effort in Week 5 against the Eagles, last year’s No. 1 scoring defense was not nearly as good.

The Vikings have had a tough schedule to this point, with a road game against the rival Green Bay Packers, a trip to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in a short week and most recently the trip to Philadelphia for an NFC title game rematch. A 2-2-1 record is not ideal, especially with a dismal loss the Buffalo Bills in the mix, but most fans probably would have taken 3-2 over the first five games without much question. The issue is how the current record has been arrived at, with a kicker costing a win against Green Bay and the egg that was laid against Buffalo.

Due in equal parts to the absence of Dalvin Cook (hamstring) and a mediocre, at times undermanned offensive line, the Vikings haven’t found any real semblance of a rushing attack to this point. That line also has to protect Cousins far better going forward, as he has taken far too much punishment.

Minnesota has a couple winnable games coming up, against the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets, and three of their next four are at home. So there’s an opportunity to get back on track in a big way, with the win over the Eagles as the launching point. But through five games, based on a high level of expectations a little more than their own shortcomings, the Vikings overall have been a disappointment.