By Sports Enthusiast and
Guru Ryan Mitchell, Contributing Blogger
Week 5 of the NFL season is in the books, and we
are now immersed in the second quarter of the season. The calendar has
flipped to October, which means upcoming games become increasingly more meaningful.
With this in mind, it’s time to take stock of where teams stand.
Without further ado.…here we go!
Contenders:
Seattle Seahawks: The reigning Super
Bowl champions haven’t looked as sharp as they did last February, but that may
be the only slight against them to this point. The defense is top notch and
aggressive, as to be expected. The offense and Russell Wilson are performing at
a higher and more efficient rate than last year. That includes Marshawn Lynch,
who continues to be an elite running back and playmaker. With defining wins
over the Packers and Broncos already in hand, combined with San Francisco’s
early inconsistencies, Seattle looks to be favorites to once again claim the
NFC West division, as well as reach the Super Bowl as the NFC representative.
Denver Broncos: The defending AFC
champions and Super Bowl runner-up squad is squarely the class of the AFC again
this season. Peyton Manning continues to deliver in the twilight of his career
and leads an aggressive aerial attack. A dynamic receiving core anchored by
Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and a thriving Emmanuel Sanders have been
perfect compliments to Manning. The running game combination of Montee Ball,
Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson, however, has been slow developing and is a
concern going forward. On the defensive side of the ball, the team has
improved, despite issues of consistently stopping the run. Von Miller’s
presence leads a talented group that will be leaned upon more this year. Look
for Denver to have to hold off upstart San Diego in the AFC West and fight for
home field advantage in the playoffs, more so than in 2013.
Philadelphia Eagles: The high-flying
leaders of the NFC East have again translated their up-tempo style in 2014 into
early success. Philadelphia has soared to 31.2 points per game average, which
leads the league. Perhaps more impressively, they’ve done this largely without
quality play from their star running back LeSean McCoy. While they wait for him
to get going, the speedy and versatile Darren Sproles has proven to be a shrewd
offseason acquisition. The ability of Nick Foles to distribute to an assortment
of receivers, headed by the healthy and explosive Jeremy Maclin, in key moments
has allowed the offense to fly. Concerns relating to McCoy’s production and
avoiding large first half deficits have to be monitored as the season
progresses. The defense is equally as enigmatic, as it struggles to stop the
run consistently and allows opponents to accumulate large chunks of yards each
week. Despite this, they do force turnovers and have a knack for getting the
big stops late in games in each of their victories. This is all the more
evidence of the Eagles “basketball on turf” style, with Chip Kelly establishing
himself as the official “Don Nelson mad scientist” of the NFL. Keep an eye on
these guys in the ever-tightening NFC East race, as well challenging for home
field advantage in the NFC.
San Diego Chargers: The upstart Chargers from
a year ago have surprisingly carried over their swagger and success to this
season. Philip Rivers continues his climb back from quarterback media purgatory
with perhaps the greatest start to his career. He leads an effective and
balanced offense in spite of injuries to key running game contributors Ryan
Matthews and Danny Woodhead, and starting center Nick Hardwick. The slow start
of wide out Keenan Allen has also been another hurdle San Diego has overcome.
Longtime threats Antonio Gates and Malcolm Floyd, along with the resurging
Eddie Royal, have softened the blow and allowed San Diego to be effective in
the red zone. The defense has been simply outstanding; they stop the run and
apply consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Much like the Broncos, they
will likely lean more on this unit in the coming months. While health will be a
huge concern for this team, they’ll remain one of the best in the AFC and
challenge the Broncos for the AFC West crown as long as they continue to plug
away.
Indianapolis Colts: Led by a polished
and talented Andrew Luck, the Colts have once again established themselves as
one of the league’s top offensive teams. Diverse receiving options include the
ageless Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Dwayne Allen, Colby Fleener and Hakeem
Nicks. They have shockingly found nice balance with cast off running backs
Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson to solidify their ground game. The
turnovers and consistency of these backs going forward are the only things that
can hold back this offense. Tough early losses to Denver and Philadelphia
exposed weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball, which has, for the most
part, been an improvement. An aggressive secondary and bright defensive-minded
coach Chuck Pagano should allow for the unit to be reliable, but not great. Their
ceiling is likely dependent on forcing turnovers, as giving up chunks of
yardage may be a season long issue. All in all, though, the Colts are the
frontrunner in the AFC South division and fans can look forward to many more
high scores in the confines of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Green Bay Packers: If there is anything to
be learned by this season, it will be to not bet against Aaron Rodgers and the
Pack after 3 games. They found themselves in a hole due to an unfavorable
schedule, struggles on the defensive end and injuries upfront on the offensive
line. While those issues will remain to be a factor, they have seemingly
righted the ship with dominant victories over NFC North competition. Rodgers
leads another successful aerial attack offense, with weapons such as possession
receiver Jordy Nelson and deep threat Randall Cobb. The running game of Eddie
Lacy and James Starks has been off to a slow start, but offers hope for
productive balance. These guys can score with the best of them and there’s no
reason to think that will cease. Concerns defensively about their ability to
stop the run are real and have to be addressed. They do have strength on the
back end of the defense and feast on turnover opportunities. The offense will
continue to push this team forward, but expect them to hold on to the NFC North
lead for the time being.
San Francisco 49ers: Very few teams have
had the recent consistent success of the Niners, and this year is no different.
Despite reported internal drama and key defensive injuries, San Francisco has
all of the makings of another threat in the NFC West. Frank Gore and Carlos
Hyde present a very effective and almost dominant running tandem. The strength
of this team comes on the ground where, hit-or-miss quarterback Colin
Kaepernick provides support with his shifty legs and speed. Through the air, a
bevy of solid receivers, including Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Steve
Johnson, Vernon Davis and Brandon Lloyd, provide an array of targets. To say
that Kaepernick fully utilizes them would be an overstatement, but they have
found nice balance to compliment the run game. Coach Jim Harbaugh will have to
get more out of the passing game for this team to compete come playoff time. On
the defensive side of the ball, Patrick Willis and Antoine Bethea have shined
on an incomplete but overperforming unit. With Navarro Bowman on the mend and
Aldon Smith suspended, the Niners are sporting the 10th ranked
defense in the league. Goals for the season have to include putting the
Harbaugh drama to rest and getting to full strength on defense to have any
chance to hang with Seattle in the NFC West.
New England Patriots: The annual evil empire of
the NFL strikes again, when faced with doubt and media scrutiny. Should we be
surprised? After a week in which Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were blasted for
an embarrassing loss in Kansas City, the Pats returned home and turned one of
his most impressive primetime performances in recent memory. The route of the
Bengals illustrated the resiliency and talent on the roster, as well as a
potential spark going forward. Brady leads an effective, though more balanced,
offense than previous years. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski provide reliable
big play targets, and the running game combination of Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen
has been productive. Questions about how much this offense can grow are worthy,
as the offensive will continue to need work. To doubt Belichick and Brady on
the offensive side of the ball is asinine, though, as they’ve mastered the art
of scoring points for years. On the flip side, the defense has shown signs of
improvement and has been able to create turnovers, particularly in the
secondary. Darrelle Revis, Devin McCourty, and Logan Ryan have limited
opponents through the air. The ability to stop the run has been inconsistent
and will need to be worked on. If they can keep forcing turnovers and rely on
Brady to make plays, there’s no reason to think New England can’t lead the AFC
West for the remainder of 2014.
At a Crossroads (On the Fence):
Dallas Cowboys: Many will wonder how a 4-1
team cannot be included in the “Contenders” list, and it stimulates a worthy
debate. That being said, this team is the Dallas Cowboys, who by and large
consist of the same group of players and coaches who have been members of
mediocrity and collapse in recent years. Not to say that this year will be the
same, but one must look deeper at the 4-1 record and wonder if it’s only a
mirage. Tony Romo leads the offense, and has been, for the most part, a better
version of himself. He provides game-changing talented playmakers like Dez
Bryant and Terrance Williams plenty of big play opportunities, and he
occasionally turns the ball over in the process. It’s a defining characteristic
for Romo that will always limit his ceiling but raise his floor, performance
wise. It’s important to note that the offense this year has the added benefit
of a superior running attack lead by Demarco Murray. Dallas has been able to
run the ball at will, which lessens the burden on the rest of the unit. Can
this trend keep up or will Romo be forced to throw more? This is going to be
something to watch going forward. On a lighter note, the defense has improved
from an awful 2013 unit, and gives them a chance to win by forcing turnovers.
They still struggle to stop the run and allow large chunks of yardage, but have
kept opponents out of the end zone to this point. It’s this paradoxical
description of a team that makes you question on one hand how good they really
are, but also appreciate how good they have been on the other hand. Expect them
to hang around in the NFC East but ultimately yield to Philadelphia and
potentially New York.
Cincinnati Bengals: In the NFL a team is
generally only as good as their quarterback, and the Bengals are no exception.
Andy Dalton epitomizes mediocrity but is lifted by a solid running attack and
the explosive A.J. Green. The offense has the ability to score with anyone but
struggles in big game opportunities, as evidenced in New England on Sunday
night. The Bengals are tasked with continuing to get the most out of the
running game, in order to ease the pressure off of Dalton and their stout
defense. The signature strength of the team resides on the defensive side of
the ball, which has been effective in pressuring opponents and forcing
turnovers. Carlos Dunlap has shined up front, and there’s no reason to think
that will change. Like many teams, being able to stop the run has been a recent
issue and one that they’ll have to correct. Despite numerous doubts, this team
does have talent and should compete for the AFC North title; just don’t expect
them to do much beyond that until further notice.
Arizona Cardinals: Much like the Bengals in
the AFC, the Cardinals are a team that sports a solid defense and a talented
offense with quarterback questions. Arizona has found their niche under Bruce
Arians, playing aggressive defense and stopping the run consistently. Calais
Campbell going down is going to be a huge short-term loss up front, but the
secondary has been reliable and downright scary at times. If this unit can
maintain their play, they’ll give a huge boost to an offense that could use the
help. Quarterback Carson Palmer has missed significant time and looks to return
soon, which should have a positive impact offensively. Though prone to
turnovers and big game struggles, Palmer should allow for the running game to
develop. Andre Ellington has shown signs of life lately, but the Cardinals lack
a consistent second option, which is concerning. This looks like a team that
will remain competitive throughout the season and be in the mix for a Wild Card
spot, but don’t be surprised if they fall back to .500 for sheer lack of consistency.
Baltimore Ravens: A true representative of
annual success, the Ravens find themselves back in the hunt again this season.
Perhaps they’re not as offensively talented as in past years, but defensively,
they look to be back to their 2012 Super Bowl form. Haloti Ngata, Elvis
Dumervil and newcomer C.J. Mosley anchor a stacked up front and middle, while
the very talented Jimmy Smith defines exceptional modern day cornerback play.
This unit stops the run and has improved against the pass, which allows for
turnover creation and big plays. Not quite a vintage Ravens defense just yet,
but could easily develop into one as the year goes on. The offensive side of
the ball is where questions arise, ranging from adjusting to Gary Kubiak’s new
offensive system to replacing guys like Ray Rice and Dennis Pitta. Incoming
veterans Justin Forsett and Steve Smith Sr. have helped ease the burden.
Quarterback Joe Flacco has developed great rapport with Smith, which has been
essential, as Torrey Smith has seemingly disappeared in the new system. The
lack of the deep threat Smith once provided, as well as Flacco’s inconsistency
of throws outside those to Smith Sr., is an issue. This easily could be a team
that fixes itself internally and takes the AFC North crown, but for now, expect
a dogfight for the division.
Detroit Lions: Oh how one play can change
the perception of a team in the NFL, as is the case with the Lions. A late
missed Field Goal and a blown lead at home against the Buffalo Bills will
certainly do that. For Detroit, this was yet another great opportunity
squandered, as they kissed away a chance to be 4-1 and in control of the NFC
North division, ahead of surging Green Bay. Kicking issues haven’t been the
only issues for this squad, with offensive injuries to key contributors Calvin
Johnson, and running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell, limiting Matthew
Stafford’s ability to move the ball. The offense has struggled to run the ball
all season, and thus, will continue to struggle to score points. Fortunately
for the Lions, they possess one of the top defenses in the league and apply
heavy amounts of pressure upfront, led by Ndamukong Suh. A healthy pass rush
has made a mediocre secondary elevate their play and create interception
opportunities. Detroit will have to lean on their defense more than any other
team this season, which makes the loss of Stephen Tulloch that much greater. In
total, expect to see Detroit in several close low scoring games, resembling the
one last Sunday, while they scratch and claw to hang in the NFC North race.
Pittsburgh Steelers: This is flat out a different
team than that of past years, in which the offensive and defensive strengths
complemented each other. This year, the Steelers rely more on their offense to
provide big plays and high scores, while there defense continues to develop.
Big Ben Roethlisberger is his dependable self and is supported nicely by star
running back Le’Veon Bell and secondary option LeGarrette Blount. The offensive
line is improved and buys Big Ben more time for big play threats Antonio Brown
and Markus Wheaton. Balance and explosiveness have kept the Steelers in games
in which their defense let them down. Speaking of the defense, it’s important
to note that this is a unit undergoing quite a youth movement in comparison to
past rosters. Troy Polamalu provides veteran presence, but the progress of
youthful Cameron Heyward, Ryan Shazier and Cortez Allen will dictate how good
this unit can be. For now, the pressure will remain on the offense in order to
avoid future slip ups against teams like Tampa Bay. If they can do that,
Pittsburgh should be right in the hunt for the AFC North crown.
New Orleans Saints: There may not be a more
disappointing team through Week 5 than the Saints, who have struggled mightily
on the road and given up an inordinate amount of points defensively. All of
that being said, they are simply too talented and experienced for me to think
that they are not capable of turning things around. The offense is once again
very talented, led by its top-notch aerial attack featuring Drew Brees. The
core group of receivers, especially Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston, have not
lived up to expectations just yet, but have been supplemented successfully by
newcomer Brandin Cooks and Kenny Stills. Look for continued improvement and
results from not only this group, but also, the running game. Khiry Robinson
has stepped in for the injured Mark Ingram to pair with Pierre Thomas and lead
a strong ground game. They have anchored the offense and must continue to do so
until the nagging turnover issues are resolved. We must not forget the pressing
issue of the defense, which has frankly been abysmal. Inconsistency stopping
the run is the first thing that must be addressed by Defensive Coordinator Rob
Ryan. For years, the Saints have relied on an aggressive defense to make big
plays from pressure forced turnovers. Unfortunately, this year, the youth and
perhaps lack of talent has limited their ability to create pressure, leading to
fewer big plays. Jairus Byrd was a high-priced bust and is now out for the
season, leaving the secondary more of a question mark than it already was. It’s
hard to say if this unit will turn it around significantly, but any progress
would more than benefit an offense that is capable of keeping the Saints in
games. This team, on talent alon,e will be the most intriguing to watch in
coming weeks, and despite the negatives, don’t count them out in the mediocre
NFC South race.
New York Giants: The 2014 Giants
provide the same abundance of questions and compliments, just almost all their
teams have in recent years. Eli Manning has settled into their new offensive
system very well after early hiccups. Rashad Jennings, prior to his injury, had
been a key weapon in both the running game and passing game. Andre Williams, a
rookie out of Boston College, will step in to shoulder the load for the time
being, which should impact the offense a bit. This may, however, be balanced
out by an improving receiving core, led not only by Salsa king Victor Cruz, but
also, emerging playmakers Larry Donnell and Odell Beckham Jr. It’s sufficed to
say that the Giants can put up points, despite consistently turning the ball
over each week. The boom or bust style of defense has been improving lately, as
they create pressure, force turnovers and stop the run. Nevertheless, they are
prone to getting beat on mental lapse plays. Health and the continued
aggressive play of the secondary will determine if New York can hang in the NFC
East race for the time being. Beating the Eagles would be a huge first step,
but don’t count on it.
Pretenders:
Carolina Panthers: It’s difficult
to label a team that had such great success in 2013 and brought back loads of
talent as a “Pretender,” but if any team fits the bill, it’s the Panthers. Cam
Newton has not been 100% healthy, are they aren’t utilizing his running ability
like they did before. Management allowing Steve Smith Sr. to walk in the
offseason was an unnecessary and potentially developmentally harmful decision.
They still can’t run the ball worth a damn, no matter who they throw out there,
including stalwarts like Jonathan Stewart and the aging DeAngelo Williams. The
offensive line has been equally inconsistent, which hasn’t helped Newton’s
ability to stay upright. The lone bright spot for this unit is the emergence of
Kelvin Benjamin, who has the looks of star potential. Panthers fans have to be
wondering if only they had kept Smith to pair with Benjamin. Unfortunately,
that’s not their only concern, as the defense, which was the staple of the 2013
season, has regressed due to the personal leave of Greg Hardy and a struggling
secondary unit. In games where they have slowed the run, they have struggled
against the pass, and vice versa. They do force turnovers, which have been
crucial in their victories. It’s hard to see this unit improving much from
here, as they’ll just have to bank on turnovers and a Hardy return. It would be
naïve to count Carolina out of the jumbled NFC South race, but to have faith in
them is a reach. Expect to see a wide variety of success and failure from this
bunch.
Buffalo Bills: Great start for
the long-suffering franchise and fans that reside up on Lake Erie, as the Bills
are 3-2! That being said, expectations and optimism has to be tapered by
somebody, so here it is. Doug Marrone did a great job handling the transition
from EJ Manuel to Kyle Orton almost seamlessly and got results to boot. An
improbable win over the Lions on the road and the Bills are staring down at an
AFC East first place showdown with New England this weekend. That’s where all
of the rosy feelings should stop. The Bills constantly have found ways to hang
with but not beat New England in recent years, and that should hold true again
in 2014. The little brother, so close but so far syndrome, stems from their
quarterback play. They just don’t have enough, whether it’s Kyle Orton or E.J.
Manuel, to consistently finish games and put up enough points. Sammy Watkins
looks like a hit and should stretch the field, making life easier for the
flashy but mediocre backfield of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. The defense is
a huge strength for this team, despite significant injuries to Kiko Alonso and
Kyle Williams. They just keep plugging away, and with a monster playing upfront
like Marcell Dareus, don’t expect that to change. This defense will be
enjoyable to watch all season and will set the tone against other teams
consistently. Much like the Lions, be ready for numerous low scoring defensive
affairs in which the Bills will have a chance to win.
Chicago Bears: To quote the infamous
Dennis Green, “The Bears are who we thought they were;” that is to those of us
not enamored by Jay Cutler and his massive contract, or the Bears doormat
defense. To be fair, Cutler has bought into Marc Trestman’s aggressive offensive
system, which does yield points when not hindered by turnovers. The turnover
problem for the Bears is two-fold, in that Cutler has always been prone to
interceptions and the skill position players, including talented Brandon
Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Matt Forte, have been coughing up the ball at an
alarming rate. Combine this with Forte’s inability to establish the running
game this year and the Bears have a huge problem. It must be noted that
starting center Roberto Garza has been out due to injury, which has been
significant. It’s still hard not to wonder, with such talent in the receiving
core, how they aren’t able to put up more than the league average of 23.2
points per game. Speaking of points, it’s to the defensive side of the ball we
go, where offseason acquisitions like Willie Young, Lamarr Houston, and Kurt
Fuller have offered upgrades from the 2013 roster, but still haven’t yielded
the dramatic improvement some in the media were speculating. The Bears have
struggled equally against the run and the pass, letting up big plays at
inopportune times. They don’t seem able to put a 60-minute game together each
week, which eventually will have to change. On a positive note, they do force
turnovers, which has fueled the offense through its own struggles. If their
early season play is any indicator, expect the roller coaster season to
continue with the Bears never entirely out of the NFC North race, but never
entirely in it either.
Houston Texans: Similar to the Bills, they
were an early season surprise coming out of the gate with an improved defense
and sense of direction under new head coach Bill O’Brien. They have since come
back down to earth with a struggling offense and zero ability to stop other
teams on the ground when they fall behind. Arian Foster, as usual, leads the
running attack that represents their biggest strength offensively this season.
Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins have provided quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick
with productive outside weapons. That being said, Fitzpatrick often looks in
over his head out there, and they don’t have enough talent outside of those key
guys to put enough points on the board against stronger teams. Defensively
though, the Texans have been extremely solid and have made do without rookie
phenom Jadeveon Clowney. They bring consistent pressure in the form of a one
man wrecking crew in J.J. Watt. They force turnovers, which has provided a
necessary relief to the offense at times. Stopping the run has been a major
issue and will be for the remainder of the season. It’s hard to see this team
capable of recovering from early deficits or thriving in shootout style games
that playoff teams must win. They have a chance to hang around in the
downtrodden AFC South, but you get the feeling that Andrew Luck is the difference
between them and the Colts winning the division.
Kansas City Chiefs: First off, Andy Reid is a
terrific coach and Alex Smith has impressively fought to earn respect as a
productive starting quarterback in the NFL. Those are givens, but let’s be
honest and note that those were compliments worthy of the 2013 version Chiefs.
This year’s team has been erratic and left observers with an empty feeling that
there should be more. Jamaal Charles injury issues aside, this team should not
be as inconsistent and lost as they have been at times. The same offensive
system is in place, but their guys are just not making key plays. Alex Smith is
only as good as the talent around him, which isn’t to say that he’s not good,
but he is limited. He doesn’t have that “it factor” to push the offense much
past league average. Thus, the Chiefs have to rely on their rounded, yet
inconsistent defensive play. Simply put, it’s very difficult to score on them,
but they don’t necessarily scare you with their inability to contain the ground
game and their lack of creating turnover potential. Put the two together and
you have the definition of a mediocre football team. It seems like their season
will come down to one game, and it will be a game they have already played in
Week 1, in which they were dismantled at home by a discombobulated Tennessee
Titans. That doesn’t generally happen to good teams. They’ll keep it
interesting in the AFC West and could settle nicely into a spoiler team in the
AFC Wild Card race, but don’t expect big things in 2014.
Atlanta Falcons: From perennial Super
Bowl hopeful to just hoping to hang on past Halloween, no franchise has tumbled
further faster than the Falcons. Despite talented individual players like Matt
Ryan, Julio Jones, and Roddy White leading a high scoring offense, their
defense has a polar opposite. The mix of youth and aging veterans has not been
an effective combination for a unit that is constantly gashed for big plays on
the ground, and then through the air no matter the opponent. They lack a pass
rush and, as a result, expose their youthful secondary too often. They have
shown an ability to force turnovers, but not timely ones. Barring some sort of
miraculous work by defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, they’ll hemorrhage yards
and points all season long. On the offensive end, the 30.2 points per game
average is one of the highest in the league, which means they can move the ball
and move it quickly. Deep play threat Julio Jones is an incredible playmaker
that complements the abilities of Roddy White and Devin Hester. Let us not
forget Harry Douglas, who, when healthy, makes this receiving core one of the
most talented out there. In spite of all of this, there is still a sense of
something missing and that something is the dependability of Tony Gonzalez, who
retired after last season. This loss impacts Matt Ryan the most, as he lacks a
trustworthy safety blanket when the deep play isn’t available and when the
Falcons are in the red zone. Ryan has had past issues finishing drives, which is
something that must improve this year, as the Falcons could potentially be
involved in a shootout every Sunday. They’ll be an entertaining team to watch
down the stretch, but ultimately, will have to settle into a spoiler role
behind the Panthers and Saints in the NFC South.
The leftovers: There’s always 2015:
Miami Dolphins: A harsh indictment for a
team that seemingly finds itself in the playoff conversation at least until
later in the season, but does anyone really have faith in the quarterback, the
coach, the owner or snowflake the dolphin anymore? There is a good amount of
talent in Miami, accompanied with never ending drama it seems. Head Coach Joe
Philbin has seemingly been on the hot seat since last season and the same goes
for Ryan Tannehill. Success is often a result of trust, communication and
organizational support, areas that neither the play nor coach seems to have,
which has directly impacted the play on the field. They are talented enough on
both sides of the ball to beat or lose to anyone on a given Sunday. The
inconsistency of the passing game though, combined with turnovers, will negate
any positive growth the running game or defense achieves. They can remain
competitive based on talent, but they aren’t much of a threat in the AFC East to
better-run teams. This needs to be an evaluation year for everyone involved.
Cleveland Browns: You’ll be
hard-pressed to find a more likeable and unexpected hero than what quarterback
Brian Hoyer has been for the success-starved Browns. A guy who was scrutinized
and questioned all preseason has delivered and shown up those who demanded that
the rookie from Texas A&M should be starting. He has led a very
balanced and capable offense down the field every week and pulled off
impressive comebacks right and left. The result of which has kept the youthful
Browns competitive and within striking distance every week. Ben Tate, Terrance
West and Isaiah Crowell have provided a solid running game to supplement an
array of receivers at Hoyer’s disposal. Andrew Hawkins stands out as a quality
pickup from the Cincinnati Bengals. Simply put, the defense needs work and that
will have to be addressed in the 2015 Draft, but Mike Pettine has done a
tremendous job early. It’s just unfathomable that their success will last, but
here’s hoping it does and the magical ride continues for Cleveland’s sake.
Minnesota Vikings: Each season, it seems like
one team gets dealt the worst hand of luck cards possible. This year, it seems
that the Minnesota owns that unfortunate fate. Overcoming the loss of not only
starting quarterback Matt Cassel, but also, star running back Adrian Peterson
is too much for the rebuilding Vikings to absorb at this point. Rookie Teddy
Bridgewater and Matt Asiata have offered glimmers of hope as replacements, but
not enough so to improve an incomplete roster. Under new head coach Mike
Zimmer, this team is a work in progress on both sides of the ball, as they
don’t threaten opponents downfield very often, and don’t stop the run, making
sustained momentum nearly impossible. They’ll be an interesting team to keep an
eye on next season, but this year will be about evaluating Bridgewater and his
potential.
Washington Redskins: This year’s
edition of the Redskins looks fairly similar to recent teams, in that, despite
an abundance of flashy offensive potential, there seems to be little success in
terms of wins. Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III have shown potential,
followed by disappointment, at the quarterback position. Alfred Morris and Roy
Helu Jr. combine for a decent backfield but nothing special. The receiving core
features speedy deep threat playmakers Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, but
rarely does the team get them the ball. The offensive line could use some work
as well, once Head Coach Jay Gruden quits waffling and makes a final decision
on Cousins or Griffin III as the team’s permanent quarterback. The defense is
an absolute train wreck outside of Ryan Kerrigan and the injured DeAngelo Hall.
It’s going to be a long season in the nation’s capital, as the Redskins should
finish dead last in the NFC East.
New York Jets: Speaking of overhyped East
Coast disappointments, the Jets also make the list of teams that are waiting
for better days. Rex Ryan has likely run his course with the New York media and
a GM that will look to save his job first. Geno Smith has largely been a bust,
though that isn’t too shocking. The receivers and the offensive line are
terrible and provide no support to an unimaginative and bland offensive
approach. The running game has been the lone bright spot, as Chris Ivory has
been effective, yet Chris Johnson, not so much. The defense has to be the most
frustrating of it because they can stop the run and put consistent pressure on
opposing quarterbacks but get burned in the secondary and don’t make the big
stops necessary to get off the field. The only reason they’re not lower on this
list is that they’ve managed to somehow hang around in games. The belief that
Rex Ryan was going to squeeze the most out of this lackluster roster was more
wishful thinking, and it looks like the Jets will be back at square one come
next year.
St. Louis Rams: If there were a
runner-up category for the team dealt the second worst hand of lucky cards, it
would be the Rams. 2014 was supposed to be the season that quarterback Sam
Bradford was healthy and stepped into a team that was ready to be competitive
and make strides. Unfortunately, for Jeff Fisher, neither of these has come to
fruition. Bradford never made it out of the preseason due to injury and the talent
on the roster has not developed as advertised. On offense, the running game
under Fisher will always be solid, as his system is timeless in the NFL. The
passing game, however, is a different story. Austin Davis has been impressive
and fun to watch at quarterback, but his play doesn’t translate yards into
points, as once promising drives end in field goals or turnovers. That’s not a
successful formula, especially behind a struggling defense incapable of
applying any pressure. A Surprisingly strange statistic for a Gregg Williams
defense is having only one sack thus far. Barring unforeseen bounty bets or
rapid improvement, there’s no way the Rams will win games with this unit.
Fisher teams always play hard so watch out for close games and a couple upsets,
but this team is at least another draft away.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It has been a
rough start for Lovie Smith down in Tampa this season and don’t expect that to
change this season. The Bucs have remained competitive in most of their games
but are held back by a transitioning young defense and even more youth at key
spots offensively. Mike Glennon has seized the quarterback job from Josh McCown
and should be the guy the rest of the season. He may not be the answer, but on
occasion, has shown some flash in the past. The running game hasn’t been
reliable, despite some success by Bobby Rainey, which only further puts
pressure on Glennon to throw. The one saving grace for Tampa Bay is that they
have a couple big play targets in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. On the
defensive side of the ball, there is not much to report other than it’s not
good. Buccaneers fans need to be fully prepared for shootouts and long
afternoons for the remainder of
2014.
Tennessee Titans: Ken Whisenhunt
and the Titans need to only look up at the Bucs to understand their troubles.
New coach, new system and old leftovers. Jake Locker is never healthy and is
erratic when he is, making the quarterback position priority number one going
into 2015. They have been able to move the ball rather well, but untimely
turnovers have really kept them from being competitive. Offensively, there are
some nice weapons like Bishop Sankey, Delanie Walker, Justin Hunter and Kendall
Wright. But, there’s a lot of work to be done on the line. Defensively, expect
to see an overhaul of players to fit Whisenhunt’s 3-4 scheme next year. Long
road ahead for the Titans, but don’t be surprised to see them become
competitive ahead of schedule.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles.
Blake Bortles. Blake Bortles. No, unfortunately for the Jags, summoning
the rookie quarterbacks name three times doesn’t yield instant success. But, it
does inspire future hope. Bortles and rookie receiver Allen Robinson have been
a much-needed shot in the arm following a dismal start. The offense has shown
signs of improvement but will need health and more talent on its side in order
to improve. A youthful receiving core of Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee,
Cecil Shorts, Ace Sanders, Justin Blackmon and Mike Brown has loads of promise.
That said, injuries to Lee, Shorts and Mercedes Lewis, along with suspensions
of Sanders and Blackmon, have crippled the development process on the field.
The offensive line and running game leaves much to be desired and will likely
require attention in the 2015 draft. Same goes for the defense, which is led by
extremely talented Jonathan Cyprien and veteran Paul Posluszny but little else.
Head Coach Gus Bradley will have to work to inspire this group to fight to be
competitive until more talent arrives because there are serious deficiencies.
Oakland Raiders: Like father like son sums
up what should be the mantra out in the East Bay. The Raiders let Dennis Allen
go during the bye week, further promoting instability in the most instable
football environment across the league. General Manager Reggie McKenzie may be
the next to go, as ownership lusts over pipe dreams such as Jon Gruden and Mike
Holmgren. In the meantime, keep an eye on rookie quarterback Derek Carr upon
return from injury, and rookie linebacker Khalil Mack, as they represent what
little talent is on this makeshift roster of washed up veterans and waiver wire
pickups.
Just win baby in 2015.
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