The first two weeks of preseason are in the books. Fans are getting excited as the return of football is underway. First, we examined the teams that will surprise the league. In this installment, we will look at the other end of the spectrum. These are teams that come into the season with huge expectations, but will disappointment and fall short. Which teams will disappoint in 2016?

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Denver Broncos

The defending Super Bowl champions will regress this year. The main reason for their regression: the quarterback position. Some might argue that the Broncos won the Super Bowl with an average Peyton Manning and an outstanding defense. The defense will still be tremendous, but Manning has retired. When Brock Osweiler started games for Manning during the season, the Broncos went on a run and Osweiler played well. But he eventually cooled off and the Broncos re-inserted Manning as the starter and the Broncos never looked back. Manning controlled the offense and the defense destroyed opposing quarterbacks all the way to a Super Bowl.

An older Manning that was a former shell of himself last year is still a better quarterback than the three currently on the Broncos’ roster. Mark Sanchez has been in the league since 2009, when he was selected fifth overall by the Jets that year. His major problem is turnovers. No matter how good your defense, turnovers take a toll on your defense because of the extended time on the field. Trevor Siemian is a second year quarterback who spent last season on the bench.  Meanwhile, Paxton Lynch is the Broncos’ first-round pick from this year. Rookie quarterbacks struggle rather than succeed in their first year in the NFL. As outstanding as their defense is, the quarterback situation will be their downfall this year.

2015 Record: 12-4

2016 Prediction: 7-9

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Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have been a superb team in the regular season over the last few years. Led by Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, the Bengals have been a mainstay in the AFC North. However, as good as they perform in the regular season, the Bengals cannot come up with a big win in the playoffs. Dalton and the Bengals have yet to win a playoff game, failing to get out of the first round of the playoffs each year they have qualified.

This year, it will fall apart for the Bengals. They have gotten considerably weaker on offense. The losses of Marvin Jones and Mohammad Sanu will hurt the Bengals receiving core. Jeremy Hill was the lead back last year, but he simply could not keep it together. He struggled all year long, even though the Bengals stood with him. And TE Tyler Eifert is an outstanding young player, but he is always hurt.

The Bengals need to rebuild. Marvin Lewis is entering his 13^th season as the head coach of the Bengals. Over the years as the head coach, the Bengals have dealt with myriad of off-the-field issues with their players. If it happens once, you can attribute it to the player. But if it happens multiple times over the years with various players, it reflects on the coaching staff. Sometimes, there is a need to recognize someone has overstayed their welcome and it is time for a change.

2015 Record: 12-4

2016 Prediction: 6-10

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Washington Redskins

Last year, the Redskins were a dark horse team in the NFC. No one could have predicted that the quarterback they drafted in 2012 would lead them to a division title so quickly. The quarterback’s name is NOT Robert Griffin III. Griffin was the second-overall pick in 2012. The Redskins traded heaven and earth for that second pick that year to draft Griffin. But in the same draft, Mike Shanahan, then head coach of the Redskins, also drafted Kirk Cousins in the third-round. All the experts questioned the pick, confused as to why they drafted Cousins after taking Griffin so high in the first round. Fast forward four years, Griffin never mounted to be a successful quarterback for the Redskins and is now with the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, it was the third round pick that took the Redskins to the playoffs.

However, the Redskins will take a minor step back this year. The Redskins have not improved dramatically in any position except the secondary, as they jumped in at the opportune time to sign CB Josh Norman. On the flip side, the Giants have spent a considerable amount of money on improving their defense. With the Giants getting better in their division, the Redskins will probably lose those games which will decide the fate of their season.

Cousins is a good quarterback with a bright future in this league, but there will be a drop-off in his performance. It typically happens to second-year starters. There is more tape available of you and the league catches up to your play. Cousins also has to improve on the road. Last year, his numbers at home were better and he won 6 of the 9 games at home.

Cousins and the Redskins have an uphill battle this year. They will no longer surprise anyone this year, and will not be ready this year to take that next step.

2015 Record: 9-7

2016 Prediction: 7-9

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These are my predictions of who will disappoint in 2016. If you are a fan of one of these teams, be ready to shed some tears, because you are in for a big let-down this football season.