Bottoms Up for NFL 2014: Vikings impressing

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s nearly become a tradition in today’s National Football League, where up can be down and down can certainly be up.

Just about every season, we see a last-place club turn into a first-place club in the blink of an eye aka one NFL season. Let’s take a look at some recent examples.

In 2012, the Washington Redskins won the NFC East for the first time since 1999. This after the team had finished in the division basement each of the previous four seasons.

Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles rebounded from a 4-12 showing and won the NFC East in 2013 with a 10-6 record.

Elsewhere, the Kansas City Chiefs failed to win the AFC West a year ago but after finishing with a 2-14 record and finishing last in the division one season earlier rebounded for 11 wins and a playoff berth last year.

So on Thursday mornings, we are taking a look at the eight teams that finished last a year ago and ranking them from worst to best.

It’s extremely early (this just in) but is any of these teams on course to win a division title? One week into 2014, we have already had a few surprises.

8. NFC West: St. Louis Rams (0-1)

A year of promise for Jeff Fisher and company has already turned ugly for the only team in the division last season that finished with a losing record.

To make matters worse, all four teams in the NFC West pretty much picked up where they left off last season last week. The Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, all with 10 or more victories in 2013, all came up winners in Week 1. Meanwhile, the Rams were throttled completely at home by the visiting Minnesota Vikings, 34-6.

Not an inspiring start for a club that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2004 and hasn’t enjoyed a winning record since ’03.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

7. AFC West: Oakland Raiders (0-1)

The Silver and Black ran their record to 53-124 dating back to 2003 with a 19-14 loss last week to the New York Jets. It was yet another disappointing showing for a team that was horribly outgained in the contest despite the fact that Dennis Allen’s team lost by only five points.

Rookie quarterback Derek Carr didn’t get a lot of support from a team that gained only 158 total yards by afternoon’s end. Carr threw for 151 yards and a pair of scores and played turnover-free football.

But Oakland’s ground attack managed a mere 25 yards vs. Rex Ryan’s club. New York’s Chris Ivory (102), Chris Johnson (68) and Geno Smith (38) all topped the Raiders in this department.

Week 2: vs. Houston Texans

6. NFC East: Washington Redskins (0-1)

It is Year Three of RGIII in the nation’s capital and the season got off to a troubling start as the Redskins helped the Houston Texans snap their franchise-record 14-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, Washington has now dropped nine straight games dating back to last season via a 17-6 setback. Jay Gruden’s club rolled up 372 total yards but found the end zone just once (in the second quarter) and saw the PAT blocked. It was a bad day for the Washington special teams, who also had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown.

Better luck this week against another AFC South foe.

Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

5. NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)

What a letdown? A new head coach in Lovie Smith, a new coaching staff and a slew of new players still added up to another loss for a club that has finished dead last in the NFC South each of the previous three seasons.

The Buccaneers hosted the defending division champions Carolina Panthers minus Pro Bowl quarterback Cam Newton and still fell short, 20-14. Smith’s club totaled only 264 yards of offense, didn’t score a point until the fourth quarter and committed three turnovers.

And quarterback Josh McCown’s career in Tampa got off to a dubious start. While the well-traveled veteran threw a pair of touchdown passes, he was also picked off twice and fumbled two times in the loss.

Week 2: vs. St. Louis Rams

Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

4. AFC North: Cleveland Browns (0-1)

Close but no cigar.

But give credit where credit is due. Down 27-3 to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, the Browns managed to “ketchup” by the fourth quarter, tying the score courtesy of an up-tempo offense than had Dick LeBeau bamboozled for the final 30 minutes.

Still, when it was all said and done, Mike Pettine’s debut as Browns head coach resulted in a 30-27 loss. It marked the 10th consecutive year that the franchise opened the season with a loss. The team also saw running back Ben Tate and tight end Jordan Cameron go down with injuries, the former slated to miss a couple of games.

Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints

3. AFC South: Houston Texans (1-0)

A sigh of relief could be heard from the state of Texas.

Well, at least part of the Lone Star State.

The Houston Texans’ last win prior to last Sunday’s conquest of the Washington Redskins was the team’s first victory since Week 2 of the 2013 season. It snapped an embarrassing 14-game losing streak by the franchise.

Now Bill O’Brien’s club heads to the west coast to meet the Oakland Raiders, who had their issues last week in a loss to the New York Jets. And so much for a reunion between former Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and his old club.

Week 2: at Oakland Raiders

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. AFC East: Buffalo Bills (1-0)

Persistency paid off in the Windy City as Doug Marrone’s club would jump out to a double-digit lead, allowed Chicago to tie the game twice and eventually sent the contest into overtime. The Bills won their first game in Chicago thanks to a 23-20 victory.

Buffalo’s ground game rolled up 193 yards vs. the Bears, with Fred Jackson (61), Anthony Dixon (60) and C.J. Spiller (53) all running for at least 50 yards. And defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz took advantage of his recent knowledge of the Bears as Buffalo totaled two sacks and three takeaways in the win.

Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

1. NFC North: Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

You had to be impressed with the job Mike Zimmer has done so far this year, including the summer.

The Vikings were one of three teams to go through the preseason without a loss, along with the Ravens and Giants, but were the only club to come out of Week 1 with a victory.

Minnesota’s 34-6 win at St. Louis featured a running game that rolled up 185 yards rushing (102 by wideout Cordarrelle Patterson) and totaled five sacks of Rams quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Austin Davis.

This is a team that looks a whole lot different than the club that won five games and allowed the most points in the league in 2013.

Week 2: vs. New England Patriots