This NFL season is still young, folks—and given the shockingly high number of teams at this point playing below their potential, that’s just fine. Our Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants have hit the skids. Each team is looking to overcome a tough 0-3 start. Each franchise had very different expectations and objectives coming into this season. Though they continue to chart a course through today’s realities, the level of frankly morbid frustration is all over the place.
Fans of the Houston Texans, in particular, had pretty realistic hopes for a playoff run after an offseason that looked like it could change everything. The way they’re doing in the standings right now tells a cruel story as they try to get back on their feet. On the flip side, the Miami Dolphins came into the season as the underdogs, but their playoff hopes have been washed away, largely due to a poor defense. As these teams work through their early-season issues, there are valid questions to be asked about their approach and ceiling going forward.
The Houston Texans’ Dilemma
Entering the season, the Houston Texans had playoff aspirations. With a new coaching staff led by DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud at the helm, fans were optimistic about a postseason berth. By all accounts, the Texans have bumbled out of the starting block with an 0-3 record.
Similarly, the Texans had a lot of issues with their first three opponents. They ranked 31st in the league for points scored in 2024 and 30th in 2023. This offensive futility has led to a quarterback change as the staff tries to resuscitate the corpse that has become a once-productive offensive unit. However, aside from glimpses of potential, he’s been worked under huge duress, having been sacked a whopping eight times this season.
“We’re really close. That’s the problem; we just keep reiterating that we’re close, and now it’s time to fix the issues and be honest with one another,” said Stroud. “Coach Ryans’ message is just we’re going to keep having these results if we don’t finish.”
The team’s offensive line has been a major target of criticism as well. Stroud is in dire need of more protection on the field. Without it, they’ll not be changing their fortunes anytime soon. Mostly, though, the Texans made headlines by releasing starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson as part of a shocking, self-evident reconfiguration of their roster.
The Miami Dolphins’ Unexpected Struggles
No one expected the Dolphins to be this good when the season began. In a hurry, they became one of the league’s biggest disappointments. Despite having a talented roster led by head coach Mike McDaniel, Miami’s defense has struggled significantly through three weeks, ranking among the worst in the league.
Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, expressed his awareness of fans’ frustrations following poor performances. He took the boos from his home stands as a justifiable response to their struggles.
“[I] did hear the boos. It’s part of the game,” Tagovailoa stated. “The fans pay money, their hard-earned money, to come and see their team play, and we go out there and we don’t look the part as we have in previous years.”
As a result, the Dolphins have come to an important crossroads. The coaching staff must address defensive failures while simultaneously ensuring that their offensive capabilities are maximized. Fans and analysts alike are starting to wonder what kind of team this will be going forward.
The Broader Picture: Other 0-3 Teams
Sadly, the plight of the Texans and Dolphins is not unique. The New Orleans Saints and New York Giants are 0-3 each. We know this because they’re constantly out there looking for solutions to their pain points. The Giants, led by head coach Brian Daboll, have already been at the end of this kind of scrutiny regarding the futility of their offense.
Daboll addressed the potential for boos from fans after an uninspired performance, admitting that they need to be better.
“Look, I would be booing too, to be honest with you,” Daboll remarked. “Not being good enough, not scoring, not finishing… We got to do better.”
Though each franchise has its own challenges, what unites them all is the pressing need for uplift. The Tennessee Titans loom in the Texans’ future schedule, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge as they attempt to salvage their season.
Only one first-year coach has overcome an 0-3 start to make the playoffs: Bobby Ross with the 1992 Chargers. This accomplishment only brings to attention the deep uphill battle that coaches like Ryans have to deal with.
“Trust me, there’s nobody that’s any more frustrated than I am with where we’re at,” said Callahan regarding his team’s struggles. “The only thing you can do is ball your fist up and fight back to it.”
Leave a Reply