With the NFL regular season over, it's time to reflect. While some teams continued to pursue a Super Bowl, others began scouting for the top talents of this year's NFL draft.

Meanwhile, we have those who failed to reach preseason expectations and surprisingly find themselves outside the playoff picture.

But let's focus on five particular teams who were the most disappointing this season.

Dallas Cowboys

As “America's Team” the Dallas Cowboys came into the season with lofty expectations. The reason for these high expectations was their talented offense. At running back they have Ezekiel Elliott, who is still one of the premier running backs in the NFL.

Out at receiver, they have three studs in Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb. However, with all this talent Dallas' season took a turn for the worst in Week 5 when starting quarterback Dak Prescott was lost to a season-ending ankle injury.

After losing Prescott, the Cowboys lost four straight games and at 2-7, their season was essentially over. Despite being in the NFC East where a losing record won the division, Dallas still finished third.

The Cowboys suffered multiple embarrassing losses this season, against the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Football Team twice.

The defensive drop-off this season was the biggest factor in their disappointing season. In 2019 the Cowboys ranked top ten in yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per game. Yet, in 2020 they allowed 29.6 points per game which ranked 29th in the NFL. In addition, Dallas allowed 158.8 rushing yards per game which ranked 31st in the NFL this season.

Arizona Cardinals

It may come as a surprise to see the Arizona Cardinals on this list after the way they started the season. Arizona started 6-3 and looked like they could win the highly competitive NFC West. Unfortunately, after starting so well they finished the season 2-5 and squandered a chance at making the playoffs.

A lack of offense down the stretch can be attributed as the main reason for the Cardinals' demise. When they were 6-3 Kliff Kingsbury's squad was averaging 29 points per game and amongst the league leaders in yards per game. However, in their final seven games, Arizona only averaged 20 points per game.

With quarterback Kyler Murray and Kingsbury in their second season together, Arizona was expected to make a leap. But what was disappointing about the Cardinals is they seemed to play down to their competition. Five of their eight losses this season came against non-playoff teams.

If Arizona is unable to make the playoffs next year Kingsbury will be on the hot seat and may be looking for a new job.

Minnesota Vikings

There is currently a trend for the Minnesota Vikings under Mike Zimmer. Follow a season in which they make the playoffs, they miss the playoffs the following season. Unlike in previous years, the defensive-minded Zimmer is responsible for the Vikings' disappointing season.

Minnesota's defense was subpar this season. They went from top five in points allowed per game in 2019, to 29th this season allowing 29.7 points per game. When Minnesota allowed 52 points in Week 16 to the New Orleans Saints, it summed up their defensive performance this season.

Although Minnesota didn't meet expectations of making the playoffs or competing for the NFC North title, they did have some bright spots. Dalvin Cook finished second amongst league leaders with over 1500 rushing yards on the season. Not to mention, rookie Justin Jefferson had a pro bowl season after breaking the rookie record for receiving yards in a season.

If Minnesota is unable to bounce back next season their window as a contender in the NFC may be closed. Therefore, a massive overhaul of the franchise may be closer than expected.

New England Patriots

When Tom Brady left the New England Patriots in the offseason many felt the Patriots winning ways were over. Nonetheless, there were points in the season where the Patriots didn't even look competitive. See Week 7 when San Francisco beat them by 27 points. Or in Week 16 when their divisional foe the Buffalo Bills beat them 38-9.

The main belief for why Brady left was the lack of weapons at his disposal on offense and that showed itself this season. New England didn't have a one thousand yard rusher or a one thousand yard receiver.

As a team, however, the Patriots were very effective running the ball. On average they rushed for 146.6 yards per game which ranked them fourth in the NFL. But in today's NFL where throwing the ball is paramount, New England struggled to do just that.

Cam Newton who did rush for 12 touchdowns this season, only had eight passing touchdowns to ten interceptions. Additionally, Newton had a career-low with 2,657 passing yards. Overall, the Patriots ranked 30th in passing yards per game.

It will be an interesting offseason for Bill Belichick and the Patriots as they continue to search for Brady's replacement to rebuild the Patriots' dynasty.

Houston Texans

It feels like the Houston Texans were headed for a disappointing season when they traded Deandre Hopkins in the offseason. Bill O'Brien who made the trade was soon fired as the head coach and general manager after the team started 0-4.

Getting rid of O'Brien didn't change much as the Texans went on to finish the season 4-12. The reason Houston was so disappointing is that they have their franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson.

Statistically, Watson had his best season in the NFL. Watson led the league with over 4,800 passing yards to go along with 33 touchdown passes and a career-low seven interceptions.

Here's J.J. Watt apologizing to Watson for a wasted season:

Houston is truly in a bad place this offseason. They have to fill both their head coach and general manager vacancies. Houston doesn't even have a top draft pick after this terrible season. The Miami Dolphins have the Texans third overall pick from the Laremy Tunsil trade in 2019.

Some tough decisions are going to be made in Houston this offseason in order to attempt rebuilding the franchise around Watson who reportedly wants to be traded.

Hopefully, the Texans bring in a head coach and general manager that can build a contending team and not waste Watson's prime years.