We’re just over halfway through the NFL season and it has
been far from what many may have expected. Here are just a few thoughts on some
intriguing storylines.
It has been an interesting year for
quarterbacks
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are doing what they normally
do at arguably the most important position in football. Carson Palmer, now
fully healthy, is on pace for the best season of his career. Drew Brees is on
pace for his 4th season of 5,000+ yards in his last 5. Cam Newton is
turning heads with his ability to lead a team with little talent around him (and his celebrations).
Beyond that, where is the QB class of ’12? Once deemed a group
that might have the chance to live up to the prolific class of ’85 (Dan Marino,
Jon Elway, Jim Kelly), these guys have taken a major step back in 2015. Not a single
quarterback has a winning record - hard to believe a year after they combined
to go 39-23. Their numbers to date:
Andrew Luck (injured): 2-5 as a starter, 15 TD’s, 12 INT
Ryan Tannehill: 4-5 record, 15 TD’s, 9 INT
Russell Wilson: 4-5 record, 10 TD’s, 7 INT
Nick Foles (benched for Case Keenum Week 11): 4-5 record,
7 TD’s, 6 INT
Robert Griffin III: N/A
It poses an interesting thought: Could they be surpassed
by the class of ’14? It’s not too early to start looking at the sophomores. This
group has been on fire in 2015:
Derek Carr: 4-5 record, 21 TD’s, 6 INT
Teddy Bridgewater: 7-2 record, 9 TD’s, 6 INT
Blake Bortles: 3-6 record, 19 TD’s, 11 INT
As for some of the other veterans? Well unfortunately, the
days of Peyton Manning may be numbered. He is struggling to remain healthy and
has 17 interceptions to only 9 touchdowns. Even at his old age, it is stunning
to see such a legend struggle. Joe Flacco is on his way to his first losing season as a pro. Philip
Rivers & Matthew Stafford are a combined 4-14. Accordingly, with mixed
results to date, it looks like we may have a change of guard at the top of the
quarterback list.
A league of parity
Nine teams have already met or exceeded their number of
wins from a year ago:
2014 2015
Oakland 3-13 4-5
Tampa Bay 2-14 4-5
Jacksonville 3-13 3-6
Washington 4-12 4-5
New York Jets 4-12 5-4
Minnesota 7-9 7-2
Atlanta 6-10 6-3
Carolina 7-8-1 9-0
Tennessee 2-14 2-7
Unheralded Stars
Oftentimes, playing for bad teams won’t garner any
attention. For others, superstars steal the spotlight from the role players. But
these players have put themselves on the path to stardom.
In Jacksonville, the wide receiver duo of the Allen bros are putting together an incredible year. Allen Hurns has caught a
touchdown in 7 straight games. You’d have to go back to Dez Bryant in 2012 for
the last time someone has accomplished that feat. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Mr. Robinson, has hauled in 7 TD's himself, and needs just 3 catches to surpass last season's total.
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| Robinson has been a force in Jacksonville |
His second-year QB, Blake Bortles, is 11th in
passing yards (2,381) and tied for 7th in TD passes (19). The record
for a Jaguar is 23. He’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in 7 of 9 games.
Derek Carr has revitalized a once proud franchise in
Oakland. He has thrown as many touchdown passes, 21, as Aaron Rodgers!
Other notables: RB Charcandrick West (KC), RB Jeremy Langford (CHI), WR Jamison Crowder (WSH)
Rookies continuing to adapt
With such advancement in knowledge and technology, it’s
becoming much easier for college players to adapt to the professional game. It
is once again evident this year in players like Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper,
Stefon Diggs, Marcus Mariota, and Jamies Winston, among several others.
Todd Gurley is 4th in rushing, which includes
missing the first two games due to injury. Amari Cooper ranks 13th
in receiving yards. Marcus Mariota ranks 9th in passer rating.
Jameis Winston went four consecutive games without a turnover, and has already
doubled the win total in Tampa from a year ago. Mr. Diggs is averaging 5
receptions, 84.5 yards through 6 games.
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| Gurley is taking the league by storm in his first season |
AFC South jungle
Just last year, Carolina won the NFC South with a losing
record, 7-8-1. This year, we could see a very similar outcome in the AFC. Not a
team in the division has a winning record, and by the way they’re playing, it is
hard to imagine that changing. Hec, Tennessee is 2-7, yet only 2 games back,
while Jacksonville sits one game back at 3-6! (The Jags and Titans play each
other twice in the next three weeks).
There's a lot to be sorted out in the second half, including whether Carolina & New England can go the distance unbeaten (I sure hope not!), or whether the Browns will land the Number 1 overall pick in the draft. Just a few reasons it should be an exciting finish!
