Bottoms Up for NFL 2014 (Week 3): Reality check
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 season. Let’s take a look at some recent examples.
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles rebounded from a 4-12 showing and won the NFC East in 2013 with a 10-6 record. The year before, it was the Washington Redskins going from last place to a division title.
Once again, we are taking a look at how the eight NFL teams that finished last a year ago and ranking them from worst to best.
Unfortunately for every club on this list, all came up on the short end of the scoreboard in Week 3.
8. NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3)
Did the Atlanta Falcons just score again?
Lovie Smith’s Buccaneers were humiliated at the Georgia Dome last Thursday night, 56-14, in a game that actually wasn’t as close as that score would indicate.
In three games this season, Tampa has been outscored a combined 95-45 and has been limited to 17 points or less in each contest. Quarterback Josh McCown was injured last week vs. the Falcons but returns this week to face the Steelers at Heinz Field. Having a healthy Doug Martin in the backfield would certainly help McCown’s cause.
So would a better pass rush. The Buccaneers have totaled only four sacks in three games this season.
Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers
7. NFC West: St. Louis Rams (1-2)
After getting blown out on opening day at home by the Minnesota Vikings and then rallying for a late win at Tampa Bay, Jeff Fisher’s team picked a totally different direction when it came to their latest contest.
The Rams opened up a 21-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys, only to eventually fall 34-31 to Jason Garrett’s team. In his second NFL start, quarterback Austin Davis threw for 327 yards and three scores but was also picked off twice, with one of his miscues returned 25 yards for a touchdown by Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter late in the fourth quarter which proved to be the difference in the game.
The Rams return in Week 5 to face the Eagles in Philadelphia. That’s followed by a two-game home stand vs. the 49ers and Seahawks, a stretch which may decide this team’s fate in terms of being a factor in the NFC West.
Week 4: Off
6. AFC West: Oakland Raiders (0-3)
Close but no cigar.
The Oakland Raiders appeared to be in position to at the least send last Sunday’s contest with the New England Patriots into overtime. However, a late interception by quarterback Derek Carr, a ball that wound up in the arms of defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, sealed Dennis Allen’s team’s fate by a 16-9 score.
The Raiders have scored a mere 37 points in three games this season and have totaled more turnovers (five) than touchdowns so far. Meanwhile, Oakland’s defense held New England to 297 total yards and one touchdown on Sunday, numbers that should have been good enough to ensure a win.
Instead, the Silver and Black is 0-3 for the first time since 2006.
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins (at London)
5. NFC North: Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
That rout of the St. Louis Rams in Week 1 must seem like months away.
Since winning in the Gateway City on opening Sunday, Mike Zimmer’s Vikings have totaled a mere 16 points in losses to the New England Patriots (30-7) and New Orleans Saints (20-9) and haven’t scored a touchdown in seven straight quarters…and counting.
Now the Teddy Bridgewater Era begins in the Twin Cities. Last week at the Superdome, he replaced injured starter Matt Cassel (now out for the season) and completed 12-of-20 passes for 150 yards, plus ran for 27 yards on six carries. While the rookie didn’t throw a touchdown pass and was sacked twice, he didn’t commit a turnover.
Can Zimmer and Co. get back on track against an Atlanta team that scored 56 points last week?
Week 4: vs. Atlanta Falcons
4. NFC West: Washington Redskins (1-2)
The last two weeks, with quarterback Kirk Cousins primarily at the helm, Jay Gruden’s team has put a combined 75 points on the board in splitting with the Jacksonville Jaguars (41-10 win) and Philadelphia Eagles (37-34 loss). The third-year quarterback has thrown five touchdown passes in two games (one interception) and connected with four different players for scores.
It’s a short week for the Redskins, who are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak vs. NFC East rivals against the Giants on Thursday night.
Week 4: vs. New York Giants
3. AFC North: Cleveland Browns (1-2)
You can change the head coach and the quarterback and the other players. But one thing continues to plague this team despite showing obvious improvement on the field.
The Cleveland Browns have to learn how to beat the teams in their own division.
Mike Pettine’s club is 1-2 on the young season and all three games have been decided by three points or less. But two of the setbacks are to the Pittsburgh Steelers (30-27) and Baltimore Ravens (23-21). And while there’s been no talk about replacing Brian Hoyer these days, the fact is that this is the only team in the AFC North with a losing record after three weeks.
The Browns have two weeks to prepare for their October trip to Nashville.
Week 4: Off
2. AFC South: Houston Texans (2-1)
Does one man make that much of a difference?
In the case of the Houston Texans, it just may be the case. In the team’s first two games this season, running back Arian Foster totaled 55 carries for 241 yards and a touchdown.
In last week’s 30-17 loss to the New York Giants, Bill O’Brien’s club did manage to run for 119 yards on 25 carries. But without the physical Foster to wear down defenses, it was the Giants who did the wearing down. New York ran for 193 yards on 42 carries, the majority of that by Rashad Jennings, who ran for 176 yards and a score on 34 carries.
Of course, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a day to forget as well. Despite throwing for 289 yards and a score, the one-time Buffalo Bills quarterback was picked off three times and also fumbled once.
And guess who Fitzpatrick and company are facing this week?
Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
1. AFC East: Buffalo Bills (2-1)
If Doug Marrone’s Buffalo Bills expected the San Diego Chargers to be travel weary and a little let down one week after they handled the Seattle Seahawks, they obviously made a big mistake.
The Bolts arrived in Orchard Park and came away with a 22-10 win. Mike McCoy’s club played turnover-free football, won the time of possession battle and allowed quarterback Philip Rivers to be sacked only once.
Meanwhile, the Bills’ highly-regarded ground attack managed only 87 yards on 22 carries and the Buffalo offense amassed 292 yards of total offense on the afternoon. Marrone’s team also committed 11 penalties in the 12-point loss.
Of course, a loss to San Diego these days is hardly anything to be ashamed of. It will be interesting to see of this club can rebound on the road this Sunday.
Week 4: at Houston Texans
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