Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins and 11 Teams That Completely Fell Apart

At the beginning of the season, they were full of hope and aspirations. The teams we all thought were also-rans had become prominent, and everyone was taking notice.

Now, they are fodder for water cooler conversations and jokes on late night television.

It's a shame it gets this way, but that's the life in the NFL. Teams look great on paper or surprise us with a fast start, and then stagnation takes place. The team does not live up to the hype, and then, well, you know what happens.

And in most cases, the whispers begin about coaching changes and job security.

These teams looked like they either had it on paper or looked great at the start of the NFL season, and now, well, they just fell apart.

Indianapolis Colts

This is a team that proves you cannot build a team for one person and hope it succeeds if your star player is injured.

Those are your Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts, and Jim Caldwell are winless, Peyton Manning is on the sideline, and there is little hope of recovery.

But they look like they will get the first pick in the draft and can take Andrew Luck, and now they have Manning's blessing to do that.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wow, last year they looked like they had turned the corner.

Armed with a young quarterback, a growing defense and a running game that had some good parts, Tampa Bay looked like it would be a contender this season.

Things have not gone according to Raheem Morris' plan.

Tampa Bay has become an afterthought in the NFC, and even with a win over division leader New Orleans, this is a team of great disappointment.

Washington Redskins

Oh, how I chuckle at this one.

At the beginning of the season, a good friend of mine told me Washington would be better than people think.

I thought he was nuts since Rex Grossman was named the starting quarterback to begin the season.

The Redskins came out like gangbusters the first few weeks of the season, then hit the wall.

Inconsistency at quarterback and injuries have plagued this team and could ultimately cost Mike Shanahan his job in Washington.

San Diego Chargers

What? Norv Turner is still the head coach?

Doesn't look like that will be the case at the end of the season.

This team always looks great on paper and full of "Super" promise.

The team falters in the first few months of the season and then comes on strong in December.

With five straight loses, it does not look like that will happen this season.

Arizona Cardinals

There was this guy named Kevin Kolb that was supposed to be the second coming of Jim Hart.

Who?

John Skelton has been the starter of late while Kolb has been nursing injuries.

That's all you need to know about how far this team has fallen.

Minnesota Vikings

You have to feel so bad for Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen.

Two great players on a lousy team.

Now, Peterson hurts himself this past week. Christian Ponder looks the part but needs more seasoning.

This is a team in a state of hurt, and Leslie Frazier may take the bullet for this team.

Seattle Seahawks

This was a team that won their division last season, beat the defending Super Bowl champions in the playoffs and looked like they would come out smoking this season.

Not so fast.

Quarterback play has killed them. This is a team that if it had a stronger passer and less injuries, it could be a team on the rise.

It does not look like that now.

Kansas City Chiefs

It's strange how one team can fall apart twice in one season, but the Kansas City Chiefs have managed to do just that.

After losing three straight to start the season, they go on a winning streak, only to be pummelled by the Miami Dolphins and start another losing streak.

Injuries have hurt them. Todd Haley has tried to keep them afloat. Job security does not look that good at the moment.

New York Jets

I think I wrote a few weeks ago that this team was a playoff and Super Bowl contender.

I'd like to rescind my statement, please.

The Jets just allowed the Broncos to come from behind and beat them. The offense and defense look a little shaky, and for once, I think Rex Ryan may be on the hot seat.

The Jets need a shot of adrenaline. They also may need a new quarterback. And fast.

St. Louis Rams

We can really make a case of injuries costing this team the season.

If it wasn't Steven Jackson at running back being injured, it was prized-passer Sam Bradford hurting as well.

The defense has shown a bit of life as of late, but this team really needs some help getting motivated.

Jacksonville Jagaurs

Can we say this team fell apart before the season started?

A rookie quarterback, a lost receiving corps and little fan support.

Oh Boy!

Jack Del Rio must have known the writing was on the wall the day he and team brass met to let starting quarterback David Garrard go.

Shades of Byron Leftwich all over again.

And even with a softer schedule the rest of the way, it still doesn't look that good.

Buffalo Bills

Fans had not seen this much promise since the days of Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith.

And right now, they still aren't seeing it.

The Bills appeared to be the darlings of the AFC this season, jumping out to a 4-1 record and beating the New England Patriots.

But as of late, injuries and poor play have done them in, and what was a promising season for Chan Gailey and his team is now a 5-5 juggernaut.

Philadelphia Eagles

This one I am really upset about. They sign a huge number of veterans in the offseason.

They get a good backup for Michael Vick.

They look great on paper, and then, nothing happens.

Fans in Philly are heated, and the cooler months are getting closer. There are real rumors about this being Andy Reid's last season.

I tend to agree with them.