5 most disappointing NFL teams so far in 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 07: Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass during the football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles on October 7, 2018, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

1. Atlanta Falcons

With a 41-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, any visions the Falcons had about playing in Super Bowl LIII at home have faded into a 1-4 start. Owner Arthur Blank probably put it best after Sunday’s game, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Are you kidding me?” “We can’t erase the last five games,” Blank said. “We have to make adjustments. That’s all you can do. Start out next week and act like it’s 0-0. Nobody wants to hear any excuses. Nobody wants to hear any stories. That’s the nature of this business."

A struggling, injury-depleted defense has been the No. 1 reason for Atlanta’s struggles, with 43, 37 and 41 points allowed over the last three games.

Next. NFL Power Rankings: Week 5. dark

Only nine teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after a 1-4 start. But the Falcons are heading into stretch of “get-right” games, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 6), New York Giants (Week 7), Washington Redskins (Week 9) and Cleveland Browns (Week 10) on the slate around a Week 8 bye. So Blank’s obvious sentiment about something resembling a full reset rings true, with the most difficult stretch of the schedule behind them. But that doesn’t take away the massive disappointment the first five weeks have been for the Falcons.

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