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NFL: 10 teams that are better (or worse) than their records indicate

By Luke Dahlgren

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) is stopped by Washington Redskins defensive back Dashon Goldson (38) and Washington Redskins safety Trenton Robinson (34) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) is stopped by Washington Redskins defensive back Dashon Goldson (38) and Washington Redskins safety Trenton Robinson (34) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

BETTER: Washington Redskins (2-4)

A popular choice to compete for the first pick in the NFL draft was the Washington Redskins. Often the case with teams near the bottom, what central to this belief was the destitute situation of Washington’s quarterbacks.

Robert Griffin III and his papier mache legs were continuing their surprising* slide into busthood, and so Washington was forced to turn to the under-qualified Kirk Cousins and his 2-7 record as their quarterback.

Unlike Griffin, Cousins was comfortable in the pocket. In fact, he was dangerously comfortable in the pocket; against better judgement he routinely attempted tight throws under heavy duress that, in 2014, resulted in a 61.8% completion rate, a 10-to-9 interception ratio and a 1-4 record. This was easily an improvement from his 2013 numbers; he finished with 52.3% completions, 4-7 touchdowns/interceptions and an 0-3 record.

This hid more of Washington’s problems heading into 2015. Their secondary was pieced together by aging parts, the offensive line looked to be as ineffective as ever in the passing game, and the skill position players –  Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon – were becomeing prone to under-performance.

All of these issues were lost like tears in rain compared to the bumbling and destructive ownership of Daniel Snyder, whose overbearing presence in personnel decisions had left Washington strapped for cap flexibility and without a clear-cut future.

Even with all of this, Washington has emerged in 2014 as one of the league’s most surprisingly competent teams. Cousins is completing 66.2% of his passes (though he has 8 interceptions to 6 touchdowns), and the emergence of Matt Jones alongside Morris in the backfield has taken some pressure off of him to make the unsafe throws. The real story has been the defense, which has allowed 340.7 yards per game, good for 8th in the league. Surprisingly enough, it has been the pass defense which has allowed only 222.5 yards per game.

Final record: 8-8

The NFC East is a fluid division, and Washington could seize their opportunity to climb in the division with four games still remaining. Washington clearly does not look like a playoff team – Cousins is too limited offensively – but the return of DeSean Jackson combined with a surprising pass defense to the lineup could help to spark a late season run through the division, especially if Tony Romo isn’t able to return from his clavicle injury.

*By definition, they’re always surprising.

Next: San Francisco 49ers

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