Between the months of September through February, Sundays in
the United States belong to the NFL. We all get together with friends, family
and strangers at houses, bars, and stadiums to watch our teams play. As I sat
back with some friends at a restaurant/ bar to watch the day’s action this past
Sunday, I couldn’t help but notice the scores and competitiveness of every
game. I thought back to the season thus far, and every week almost all the
games are competitive. Yes, I know the old adage, “Any Given Sunday” to which
it’s implied any team can beat any other on any game day. While I do believe
the cliché holds true, this season looks like a move to an even more
competitive league. While ESPN, Fox Sports, and every other sports outlet continues
to rant and rave about those undefeated teams, and they deserve their
credit, the overall product being put out on the field has improved from top to
bottom. The Lions, Browns, Jaguars, Titans, Cowboys, Ravens, and Chargers all
have 2 wins or less and are looking at top ten picks in the draft next April. Looking at the stat sheets and the records
you’d never guess that they are all better than they look. Well, let me amend
that last sentence, all but one of
them are actually better then they look. Here is my break down from 7 to 1.
Seven being the team least likely to get out of the rut they're in for the near
and far future, one being the team a couple of drops and made Field Goals away
from being in the playoff hunt.
7. Detroit Lions – Record: 1-7
I mentioned earlier that all but one team from this lower
tier was close to turning it around. These Lions are that one team that has
some work to do. A 45-10 loss to the Chiefs across the Atlantic sparked a fire
under owner Martha Firestone Ford. She fired both the team president and
general manager who have been there since the Matt Millen years. They went from
the no. 2 offense in 2014 to currently sitting at 27th overall. The
total defensive numbers overall didn’t change much going from 19th in
2014 to 24th in 2015. But a closer look actually shows that
number is skewed just a bit. Last season they finished with the No. 1 rush
defense in the league. Through 2015 so far, 28th. Say what you want
about Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley being dirty and nasty players, but losing
those two in the trenches seems to have set this team back a few years on the
defensive side of the ball. HC Jim Caldwell tried to save his future by making
a midseason change at offensive coordinator, but looking at the simple stats
above, there are too many problems for just a switch at a coordinator spot.
Whoever Mrs. Ford finds to fill the team president and GM roles should come in
and clean this coaching staff out; Find a coach who can be patient and build a
solid foundation over a 5 year stint. Evaluate the entire roster, blow it up,
and get this organization moving forward, maybe call in to Bill Cowher? This
may even include trading away Megatron…Yeah, it has to happen.
6. Cleveland Browns – Record: 2-7
For the past couple of years these Browns have been labeled
as a tough out every Sunday, but never getting over that nametag. They have
excellent corners on defense that help contain other teams passing game, but
for the second straight year they are dead last in rush defense. Every team
sticks to their game plan by just shoving the ball right down the Browns
throats. But there is light at the end of the tunnel for this team. HC Mike
Pettine has been given the time to build this team and likely has another year
or two to show more improvement. This season is almost lost, let Money Manziel
take over. Rumors in Cleveland this week have Manziel sitting if journeyman
Josh McCown is healthy enough to go. Listen Mike, take it from a guy who
watched McCown hold my team hostage for a year, just start Manziel. What can it
hurt? You drafted him to be the future QB. He needs to get his feet wet and
hasn’t looked nearly the deer in headlights he did last season. It’s time for
the Manziel era to begin. And while you’re at it, kudos on starting Cameron
Erving this week, albeit because of an injury. To win in the NFL you need to be
able to run the ball and stop the run. Being ranked 28th in running
the ball isn’t healthy. Erving is a beast, letting him lose this week is going
to show why you spent the first round pick on him and maybe just maybe let the
fantasy owners who drafted Isiah Crowell in rounds 8 and 9 get a 100yd day out
of the back.
5. Tennessee Titans – Record: 2-6
What a difference a year makes. Wait… you’re telling me they
fired HC Ken Whisenhunt midseason? I understand that a lot of it had to do with
his protection of the rookie QB’s lining up under center the past two years.
All three QB’s to play for Whisenhunt in Tennessee were hurt. Yes, this all
falls on him. I’ve read a few blogs where people are talking about the play of
the offensive lineman needs to be held just as accountable…but didn’t he help
put that line together? Yes. Off to the positive. Interim coach Mike Mularkey,
who is a lifer in the NFL had a great start for his audition to keep the job.
Beating the Saints in OT. 2nd overall pick Marcus Mariota has looked
like the real deal. But the real star of this team has been the defense. Dick
Lebeau continues to pad his already HOF status, but then add Ray Horton to him,
and you’re looking at a who’s who of defensive coaches on the team. The Titans
defense has improved across the board, sitting at 6th overall, 3rd
against the pass and 16th against the run. The future is bright in
Nashville. If it were up to me, I would keep this entire defensive staff in
place, and focus on the offensive side of the ball. The next head coach needs
to have a strong offensive acumen, knowing that he needs to build a line that
will block for the young QB, draft or sign some running backs that can pick up
the blitz and run behind that retooled line. And maybe the most important part
of this, continue the growth of Mr. Mariota. I could see someone like Adam Gase
or Josh McDaniels fitting in nicely here.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Record: 2-6
Without a doubt the Jaguars to me have been the most
improved team in the league. Yes their record is nothing to shout home about.
But have you watched them play? Their improvements on both offense and defense
have been substantial. 31st ranked offense in 2014 to the 19th
for 2015. It may not read like that big of a jump, but remember this is only
Teenage Mutant Ninja Bortles second season. Give this offense one more year to
gel, another offseason of the O-line getting more comfortable together to open
up holes for TJ Yeldon, and all of sudden next year we are looking at a very
balanced attack that you can’t cover. Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson has
again worked his magic as a QB whisperer. He is the perfect hire for a team
that has been drafting offensive talent the past two years. On the other side
of the ball the defense has started to resemble something to watch over the
next few years. The run defense was 27th last season but has looked
impressive this season, jumping up to 6th. And they did this with
the 3rd overall pick Dante Fowler Jr. being lost for the season to
an ACL tear in his first practice for the team. He is a beast, when he gets
back out there next season for an official rookie campaign, this growth of this
defense is going to go up again. Fowler will bring more pressure on the
opposing QB which in turn will improve the pass defense and create more
turnovers. Defensive Coordinator Mike Babich comes from the Tampa-2 tree, but
is running a hybrid scheme of it that looks like it will be more successful
with his players continuing to grow in it for another season.
3. San Diego Chargers – Record: 2-7
Injuries have decimated the Chargers offense this season. As
Jon Gruden pointed out on Monday Night Football, in one of their games this
season they had 4 different left tackles play. It’s hard for Philip Rivers to
trust the line when he barely knows who they are. Despite all of that, they
still have the number one passing offense in the league this year. You can
credit all of that to Philip Rivers. No disrespect to the rest of the offense,
but that man is just a beast. There are a lot of people who hate Rivers, but in
20 years from now we will be looking back and thinking about how good he really
was. Through coaching changes, offensive coordinators, personnel constantly
changing he just continues to be one of the best in the league. This team isn’t
far off from contending again. All but one of their losses this year have come
by one score or less. They had to grind out their two wins, beating the Lions
and Browns by just 3 points each. Head coach Mike McCoy and his staff need to
plug up some defensive issues at corner and defensive line, fixes that can come
via free agency and the draft. This teams Super Bowl window is closing on them,
but there is still hope. As long as Rivers is steering the ship they have a
chance.
2. Baltimore Ravens – Record: 2-6
This team is much like the Chargers. Injuries really changed
the look and effectiveness of the team. The difference is the biggest injury
happened on the defensive side of the ball. Granted this defense lost a big
part of its identity during the offseason when they traded Haloti Ngata to the
Detroit Lions for 2015 fourth and fifth round draft picks, but losing the heart
and soul in the form of Terrell Suggs really doomed the season. The defense
that was 8th in all the land last season has now dropped to 21st.
Losing those two dominate body’s puts pressure on the rest of the defense.
Baltimore still holds strong ranking 10th against the run, but is
suffering in the secondary at 24th. On offense they lost the long time vet Steve
Smith for the year, but this biggest change that I have noticed comes from the
overall grasp of the offense. With Gary Kubiak sliding to his dream job as the head
coach of the Denver Broncos the Ravens hired offensive guru Marc Trestman. I
believe in Trestmans system, just needs to get one more year around this group
and they will be fine. This team is having a down year. You can expect them to
be right back in the mix next year. Every single one of this teams losses have
come by 1 score. They are a couple of catches away from 4-4.
1. Dallas Cowboys – Record: 2-6
The 2015 season for the Dallas Cowboys is the poster child
as to why quarterbacks get paid all that money. When Tony Romo broke his
collarbone, we knew the team would be in trouble, but we didn’t know to this
extent. Even if just Dez Bryant went down and Romo stayed healthy this team is
looking at 5-3 if not 6-2. Romo makes defenses respect the pass which made the
already dangerous run game more formidable. For years I have stuck by Tony Romo’s
side defending the guy for being great. Not just good, but great. Up until last
season, everyone had an opinion about Romo, how he wasn’t one of the best. But
do you really know how good he had to play to get those sorry excuses for teams
to 8-8? Really go back and look at the talent of those teams, then tell me he hasn’t
been good. So this year he goes down and so do the hopes and dreams of Americas
Team. The defense has held strong all season. Rod Marinelli has proven the
Tampa-2 scheme is still relevant as long as you adapt it to your players
instead of the other way around. Darren McFadden has taken the reigns on the
once muddled running back position, and looked like a spry kid behind that
beastly offensive line. There is no reason to panic down in Big D. This season
is still within reach because of the weak division, if the Cowboys can get into
the playoffs fully healthy, they are going to make some noise. They are however
going to lose this weekend…Tampa Bay All Day!!
Right now these teams are the “worst” in the league. I only
see one team with a glaring need to start over. Which is the point. Over the
rest of the season and for the future watch all these games. It’s a beautiful
game and it becoming more beautiful with the talent level improving across the
board. Owners in the league are taking
more pride in the team and product they are putting out. Hiring the proper
personnel to develop talent to succeed at the highest level is great for the
shield. I look forward to watching this upcoming Sunday and every Sunday the
rest of the year.
