3 NFL Teams That Underperformed This Season

Sometimes, even the most astute NFL experts and analysts can be totally wrong about how a team will perform in a given season. 

Remember when the Philadelphia Eagles were going to cruise to the Super Bowl after big play on offense, a terrorizing pass rush and two outstanding cornerbacks locking down even the best receivers?

Yeah, didn't happen. 

Let's look at their disappointing season and two other clubs that certainly underwhelmed in 2011. 

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have the chance to prove me wrong in the next two weeks, but seriously, what is the deal with this team underperforming for long stretches every season?

They were hot to start the 2011 season—through five games they were 4-1. 

Then they lost six straight, and Philip Rivers went through 10 interceptions. The defense wasn't stopping anyone, and running backs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert couldn't stay healthy.

As usual, the AFC West was wide open this year, but they couldn't take advantage.

Classic Chargers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What a remarkable difference a year can make. 

In 2010, the Bucs were the darlings of the NFL, and Raheem Morris was the hottest young coach in the game. 

They had loads of youthful talent on offense at the skill positions and their defense was on its way up. 

Josh Freeman was ready to take the "next step" as a quarterback and possibly even be in the "elite sign-caller" discussion. 

This year, Tampa started 4-2, then the wheels completely fell off. 

Freeman has 13 touchdowns and a whopping 18 interceptions after being one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the league last season. 

The collapse is not all his fault, however. 

The young and energetic pass-catchers from a year ago seem lethargic and can't get open. LeGarrette Blount exploded one week then is held under 20 yards on the ground the next. 

How about the 29th-ranked defense? 

What happened to all the young talent on that defensive line?

Philadelphia Eagles

Duh. 

The Eagles were everyone's favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. 

Honestly, has there ever been that amount of tremendous talent been assembled on both sides of the ball? 

I don't think so. 

However, the bounces didn't go the Eagles' way early in the season, and Mike Vick made far too many poor decisions. 

Oh, and the "shutdown" secondary wasn't shutting anyone down. 

The run defense wasn't great either. 

A whirlwind of problems that got worse each week. 

Shockingly enough, they still have a shot at the postseason.