Five [Opfer's Take]aways from NFL Week 3

5. From Worst to First

The team leading the league in scoring through the first three weeks of the season? You guessed it (no you didn’t)… the Los Angeles Rams! After ranking 32^nd in scoring a season ago - 14 points per game - the Rams now lead the league in scoring through the first three games. Averaging 35.7 points per game, new head coach Sean McVay has led an offensive resurgence for the current NFC West division leader. It is important to note however that they have played Indianapolis (31^st in points allowed) and San Francisco (28^th in points allowed), two bottom feeders in just about every defensive statistical category. Still, it has been an impressive start. As the schedule toughens though, it will be interesting to see how this offense responds. For now, Jared Goff and Todd Gurley have this offense looking… formidable.

Goff & Gurley have the Rams offense clicking (MercuryNews).

4. 0 for Ohio

Two teams, zero wins. In a state that loves its football, Cincinnati and Cleveland are a combined 0-6 to start the season. Both teams are tied for last in the league in turnover margin (-5), and tied for 4^th in the league in sacks given up with 11. The field generals for both clubs have been struggling mightily, as rookie Deshone Kizer and veteran Andy Dalton rank 29^th and 32^nd in total QBR rating, respectively. 

After a rather optimistic off-season, the Browns are right back to being the cellar dwellers they’ve been accustomed to. The defense ranks 28^th in points allowed (25.3), and 20^th in sacks with just six (DC Greg Williams sure is making an impact). Even worse, their number one overall draft pick, Myles Garrett, hasn’t even seen the field. The offense, as bad as it has looked at times, hasn’t played that poorly (14^th in yards/game, 18.7 points/game) considering the circumstances – rookie QB, no playmakers, and a lackluster D. Meanwhile things aren’t much better 250 miles south of the Land. After failing to score a touchdown in its first two games, the Bengals squandered a 14-point halftime lead to fall in overtime at Lambeau on Sunday. The offense looks far from a team that ranked 13^th a season ago in total offense, as they currently rank last in points per game (11) and 28^th in passing yards.

The silver lining? These two teams face off in week 4. It may be ugly, but at least Ohio will finally see a win a quarter of the way through the season.

Fun Fact: Hue Jackson is now 1-18 to start his career as Browns head coach. Even if Cleveland won out, he would still have a losing record.

3. New Nominees

Did the Miami Dolphins forget this is the National Football League? It takes more than just showing up every week to win, let alone compete. If they learned anything, hopefully it’s that Sunday’s beat down will serve as a wake-up call. The Jets were supposed to be the worst team in the league, tanking for the number one pick. On Sunday, it looked like the roles were reversed. Coming into the game, the Jets had been surrendering a league worst 185 yards rushing per outing. Dolphins’ Jay Ajayi – who rushed for 122 yards in week 2 – managed 16 yards on 11 carries! Even worse, the Phins failed to convert a first down by way of rushing. Third down conversions? They were abysmal, converting just 1-of-12, good for eight percent! Things went from bad to worse when Miami tried a fake punt – with a rookie punter nonetheless – and the pass was intercepted. Cutler looked like the Cutler of old, missing wide open targets, completing just 59% of his passes, and mustering only 220 yards (over 50 on the final drive aka garbage time). 

Across the pond, it may have been worse, as the Ravens were embarrassed 44-7 by the… Jaguars! Coming into the game, Baltimore was ranked in the top five in just about every defensive statistical category, including 1^st in points allowed – just 5 per game. Throw that out the window. The Jags were coming off a 37-16 drubbing to the Titans. Whether it was the mystical nature of London or not, this was an eye opener. The Ravens made Blake Bortles look like an All-Pro (244 and 4 TD's), while the offense managed just 186 total yards, averaging 3.4 yards per play. QB Joe Flacco had a performance for the ages, as he finished with a QBR of 0.8 (by far the worst of the week), going 8-for-18 for just 28 yards and two interceptions! After so much praise through the first two weeks of the season, the Ravens took a major step back on Sunday.

Congrats Miami and Baltimore. Your performances on Sunday will now be nominees for worst performance of the season, right next to the Bengals opener.

Fun Fact: QB Josh McCown was 2-22 (8%) in his last 24 starts prior to Sunday. He led the Jets to a 20-6 lopsided win.

2. The KC Chiefs are the most complete team in football

One of only two remaining unbeaten teams, Kansas City is off to a hot start, thanks in large part to a newly invigorated offense and an effective defense. Not to mention a rookie running back on the hunt. The Chiefs rank 3^rd in both total offense & points per game, and 1^st in rushing yards (162 per). Rookie RB Kareem Hunt has ascended as the feature back and is thriving in Andy Reid’s offense. The Ohio native leads the league in rushing with 401 yards on the ground (next closest is Dalvin Cook – another rookie – with 288), averaging 8.5 per carry! He has also showed his versatility, snagging nine passes for 137 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Chiefs are 7^th in scoring defense, tied for 2^nd in sacks with 11, and tied for 3^rd in both interceptions (4) and turnover differential (+4).

Fun Fact: The Chiefs haven’t lost a divisional game since 2015, owning the longest active streak with 12 consecutive wins in the AFC WEST!! You know, the loaded division with the Broncos, Raiders and Chargers.

1. The other Elliott!

Drafted out of Memphis in the fifth round (153^rd overall) of April’s draft by the Bengals, kicker Jake Elliott was cut on Labor Day weekend, just before the opening week of the season. It didn’t take long to find another destination. After Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis was injured on opening day, they signed Elliott off the Bengals practice squad. On Sunday, the most unlikeliest of stories unfolded. Welcome to sports. Welcome to football.

After holding the visiting G-Men to zero points through the first three quarters, New York’s offense came to life in the 4^th, scoring 21 unanswered to take a 21-14 lead. After the Eagles tied it at 21, both teams hit a FG to make the score 24-24 with just 51 seconds left. The Giants went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, leaving the Eagles with 19 seconds. It proved to be enough as Carson Wentz hit Alshon Jeffery for a 19-yard pass, setting Philly up on the Giants 43-yard line with just one second on the clock. Hail Mary or FG? Out trotted the rookie Elliott to attempt a 61-yard FG. A 61-YARD FG! 

BOOM! Elliott delivered. A player who was cut just weeks earlier (and who had missed his first kick earlier in the game), came through with the longest kick in Eagles history. A dagger in the gut of the winless New York Giants. From unknown to instant hero in the land of brotherly love!

61-yarder? That's how you become a known commodity in Philly. (CSN Philly)

Fun Fact: Elliot made two field goals in the final 51 seconds of the game. It was the longest NFL field goal ever kicked in Philadelphia, and the longest field goal by a rookie in NFL history. His career long was 56 yards in college. 

Five Takeaways From NFL Week 2

5. The Los Angeles Chargers are snake bitten

Some teams have luck on their side. Then there is the Los Angeles Chargers. A season ago, the Bolts lost ten games by single digits/one possession. Enter 2017, and it seems like the Chargers can’t escape that dreadful fate. Through two weeks, Los Angeles has lost both of its games by a combined five points, as field goals continue to plague this team time and time again. In week 1 against the Broncos, trailing 24-21, Younghoe Koo’s game-tying field goal was blocked as time expired (he made the initial attempt after a timeout was called). In week 2, down 19-17, the rookie failed to come through again as he missed a game winning kick (his second miss of the day) in the final seconds to give Miami the win. Nothing seems to brake this team’s way, especially late game field goal attempts. And even worse, it leaves the Bolts two games behind the rest of their division, as Oakland, Kansas City, and Denver all sit at 2-0.

"But coach I couldn't see the ball." Koo after his miss on Sun. (PFT)

4. Dallas Exposed

Oh how one week can change everything. After a week 1 beat down of division rival New York, it seemed like the Cowboys were picking up right where they left off a season ago. Then Sunday arrived, and Dallas was annihilated at mile high. And while it’s definitely way too early to hit the panic button, there could be reason for concern for ‘America’s team’. The defense was exposed to the tune of 380 yards and 42 points by the Trevor Siemian lead Broncos. Worse yet, it seems Ezekiel Elliott has yet to mature and is becoming a distraction on and off the field, as he supposedly quit on his team on Sunday. He had a performance for the ages – 9 carries for 8 yards. Let’s put that into perspective: A number of quarterbacks rushed for more yards than Elliott on Sunday, including Josh McCown (31), Blake Bortles (29), Matthew Stafford (23), Alex Smith (21), the aforementioned Siemian (14), and yes, even Tom Brady (9). It was the first time Elliott had failed to record at least 85 yards in a start in his career. No doubt he has the potential to be an all-time great, but his mental state of mind very well may drive him out of this league. As if that wasn’t enough there was head coach Jason Garrett blaming the loss on Dak Prescott’s performance. It’s still extremely early, but sometimes these things have a way of snowballing if not controlled, and that could spell trouble in big D.  

3. New York Pain of Mind

Ah, football in New York. What a time to be a fan of either the Jets or Giants. Through two weeks, the city has yet to see a win (0-4) and the games have yet to be close. The Jets have lost by a combined margin of 66-32, while the G-Men have been trampled by a score of 43-13. In the off-season, it was certain that the Jets would be in the sweepstakes for the number one overall pick and in full rebuild mode after cleaning house. But the Giants? They were picked by many to be Super Bowl contenders. Instead, they have looked anything but, as it’s beginning to look like the days may be numbered for the aging Eli.

Fun Fact: Jets QB Josh McCown has played (appeared in games) for a quarter of the NFL (Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Panthers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns, and Jets).

This about sums up the 2017 season so far for Eli and Co. (sportingnews.com)

2. Mr. 10,000!

Joe Thomas hit a milestone very few, if any, will ever replicate in the history of the NFL on Sunday by surpassing 10,000 consecutive snaps played (kudos to whoever kept track of this stat). For the Cleveland Browns. Which makes it all the more impressive. Now in his 11^th season, Thomas has started and played every single offensive snap in 162 straight games. Think about how ridiculous that is for an offensive lineman! In his career, he has blocked for 18 different starting quarterbacks, as the Browns have compiled a record of 48-114 in his starts. Poor guy. Through all of it however, Iron Joe has been selected to ten straight pro bowls to go along with six first team All-Pro selections. A spot in Canton awaits. 

1. Are defenses catching up to offenses… Or are the offenses just that bad?

Sure it’s only two weeks, but so far the league has seen some awful performances on the offensive side of the ball. The 49ers and Bengals have yet to score a touchdown, the Seahawks and Giants have recorded a single score, and Houston & Indianapolis have each found the end zone just twice. The Niners, ranked 28^th in total offense, are averaging a staggering six points a game. Meanwhile, Cincy is off to one of the worst starts ever, becoming the first team since the 1939 Eagles to start a season by playing two straight home games without scoring a TD (Elias). They’re averaging just 4.5 points per game, with a trip to Lambeau next on the slate. The Giants are averaging a mere 6.5 per with a league worst 48.5 yards rushing a game. Where has the offense gone?

It’s something to begin to ponder: are the offenses that anemic, or are the defenses finally catching up to the offenses? Through its first two games, Carolina could make a case for the latter. The Panthers have been absolutely dominant on defense, giving up an average of just three points and 196.5 yards a game, while adding seven sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery. Baltimore isn’t far behind, allowing a mere five points and 303.5 yards a game, while tallying eight sacks and a league leading eight interceptions (next closest is Denver with three). The Ravens are also the only team to record a shutout thus far. Seattle is Seattle, surrendering just 13 points a game, while Jacksonville, of all teams, has 11 sacks (albeit 10 in one game).

It may very well be a sign that bad teams are flooding the landscape of the NFL. But if defenses begin to close the gap on offenses… that could be transcendent.

   

Five Takeaways from NFL Week 1

5. The battle for the number one pick may be closer than we thought.

Before the season began, it was a foregone conclusion that the New York Jets would snag the number one overall pick in next year’s draft. After week 1, it’s evident there may be another team in the hunt… the Indianapolis Colts. At this point, no one knows when QB Andrew Luck will return, and that is not a good sign for Indy fans. Without Luck, the Colts were completely annihilated, 46-9, to a team that averaged 14 points a game a season ago (Rams). On a team with a rather depleted roster filled with some aging vets, incumbents Scott Tolzien and Jacoby Brissett are the options to man the ship for the time being. Tolzien, a journeyman backup at best, had two INT’s for scores on Sunday, while Brissett has just one NFL start and two games played in his career. Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick is still unemployed. Hmm. Anyway, this is going to be an intriguing race to monitor as the season progresses, especially if Luck is sidelined for an extended period of time.

4. The oh so mighty Jaguars!

Do you believe in miracles?! For the first time since 2011 (5 full seasons and 2,186 days for those counting), the Jacksonville Jaguars are above .500! The Jags used a stifling defense, recording a franchise record 10 sacks (four by newly acquired DT Calais Campbell), three forced fumbles, and an interception to spoil the Texans home opener. They also showcased their number one draft pick (4^th overall), running back Leonard Fournette, who rushed for 100 yards (see below). There’s no denying Jacksonville’s game plan from week-to-week: play great defense and run the ball (take the ball out of Blake Bortles hands). It worked week 1. We’ll see how long that recipe lasts, starting this week against Tennessee.

3. Let’s get defensive!

If you were looking for defense in Week 1, you got it. Baltimore, Carolina, Dallas, and Green Bay all held their opponents out of the end zone while the Jaguars, Rams and Eagles were equally as remarkable. Baltimore may have had the most impressive outing as they pitched a shutout against the hapless Bengals, including five sacks, four interceptions and a forced fumble. Carolina held the Niners to just three points recording four sacks, one interception and a forced fumble. The above mentioned Jags were dominant up front with the 10 sacks to go along with a 53-yard fumble return for a score. In LA, Wade Philips unleashed the Rams defense as they had two interceptions for touchdowns, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a safety in their thrashing of the Colts (the Rams defense outscored the Colts offense alone). Overall, it was a rather unusual week dominated by defense, as nearly half the league – 14 teams – were held under 300 yards of offense. 

2. Has Alex Smith turned the corner?

Ok, ok, it’s week 1. Calm down. But going into the defending champ’s house and dismantling them to the tune of 537 yards of total offense and 42 points? That has to count for something. For the first time in his career, Kansas City’s Alex Smith looked like a top-10 quarterback. Known in the past as a game manager rarely willing to take shots down the field, Smith surprised everyone by showcasing a different side to his game. He not only managed the offense but he showed poise and a willingness to be more of a risk taker. It worked to perfection as Smith finished the night 28-of-35 (80%) for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Sure, the Chiefs probably prepared all off-season for this specific game, but maybe the selection of QB Pat Mahomes in April’s draft has brought out the best in Smith. And that could be scary for a team looking to take the next step.

Awesome Note: Pretty boy Tom Brady was undefeated (129-0) in his career at home when leading going into the fourth quarter. Not anymore after the Chiefs outscored the Pats 21-0 in the fourth.

From Toledo to KC, rookie K. Hunt started the season with a bang (bleacher report)

1. Look out! Rookie running backs are ready to take the league by storm!

Three of the top five rushing leaders (including the top 2) from week 1 were… rookies. 1) Kareem Hunt (17 CAR, 148 YDS), 2) Dalvin Cook (22 CAR, 127 YDS - Vikings record for debut), and 5) Leonard Fournette (26 CAR, 100 YDS) all rushed for 100 yards or more in their debuts. Coincidentally, they led their respective teams to the win column. The unlikeliest of the rookie class to have an instant impact when drafted, Hunt added 98 yards receiving (and 3 touchdowns), giving him the most scrimmage yards ever (246) in an NFL debut (Howly Toledo!). Cook and Fournette also added three receptions a piece to their impressive starts. Another notable came from a less familiar name – Bears RB Tarik Cohen, a 4^th round pick out of North Carolina A&T. All he did was rack up 113 yards from scrimmage (66 rushing, 47 receiving on eight catches) and a score. Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey had a decent start to his career, as he ran for 47 yards and recorded five receptions for 38 yards. He’ll be an integral part of Carolina’s offense as the season progresses. Some other notable first-year backs to see action were Saints Alvin Kamara (7 CAR, 18 YDS and 4 REC, 20 YDS) and Seattle’s Chris Carson (6 CAR, 39 YDS and 1 REC, 10 YDS).

  

Five Story Lines to Follow in the NFL Week 1

5. How will veteran QB's [with high-profile rookies behind them] perform?

Mike Glennon signed a huge contract in the off-season to be the presumptive starter in Chicago. Weeks later, the Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky No. 2 overall. In Houston, Tom Savage was feeling confident in being the starter (and will be for the time being). Then, the Texans traded up 14 spots to draft DeShaun Watson No. 12 overall. Even Kansas City took a shot on Alex Smith’s (oh no, not again i.e Colin Kaepernick in San Fran) eventual replacement by moving up to select Pat Mahomes. Quarterback is already the most scrutinized position in the game. With high-profile rookies waiting in the wings, every loss and every mistake by the veterans will be magnified. First up for Glennon: the defending NFC champions, Atlanta Falcons. First up for Savage: Jacksonville. First up for Smith: The defending Super Bowl champions.

4. How do the Falcons come out of the gate after devastating loss?

It’s one thing to lose in the Super Bowl. It’s another to blow a 25-point lead. Only two teams in NFL history – ’71 Cowboys and ’72 Dolphins – have been on the losing end of the Super Bowl one year, only to win it the following season (45 years since it has last been done!). Enter 2017, where Atlanta will try to become the third. While most of last season’s record-setting team is still intact, the loss of Kyle Shanahan (Assistant Coach of the Year) is huge. Continuity is an underrated characteristic of success in the NFL, and QB Matt Ryan soared due to his connection with Shanahan. Now, Steve Sarkisian, a long-time college coach takes over the duties. No doubt the pieces are in place to make another run as young talent floods this roster (started 4 rookies and 3 second-year players on defense a season ago). Having a MVP QB certainly doesn’t hurt either. But how well this team deals with the changes (not to mention a new stadium) and adversity will be the difference. Up first on the revenge tour – a trip to Chicago.  

3. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

When was the last time there was this much excitement surrounding a Browns opener (let alone season)? Arch rival at home. The debuts of highly touted rookies DeShone Kizer (only rookie QB in NFL to start week 1), David Njoku, and Jabrill Peppers (Note: Myles Garrett is out w/ankle injury). Newly acquired players - Joe Haden (Steelers) and Sammie Coates (Browns) – change locker rooms to face their former mates. This game will give us our first look at the future of the Cleveland Browns. And while one game won’t tell all, for the first time since they’ve returned, it feels like the Browns are finally headed in the right direction. Time will tell.  

Note: Browns don’t have a quarterback on their roster (Kizer, Kessler, Hogan, and Woodrum) who has won a game in the NFL.

Fun Fact: Ben Roethlisberger has as many wins at First Energy Stadium, 10, as any Brown’s starting quarterback (Derek Anderson, 10). With a win, he’ll have the most. Yikes.

Can Kizer be the franchise guy in Cleveland? Week 1 gives us our first look (WKYC.com). 

                                    

2. The impact of the rookie running back.

For the past decade or so, the league has been transitioning to more of a pass first league. Dominant three down running backs (aside from the top 5) are becoming a thing of the past as the importance of having a ‘great’ back is becoming less relevant in today’s game. So much so that the Packers have converted a wide receiver into a permanent running back (Ty Montgomery). Nonetheless, it isn’t going to stop this talented rookie class from making an impact, starting from day one. Five rookie running backs are in line to start week 1 and/or get a heavy workload – Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette, Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey, Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook, Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon, and Kansas City’s Kareem Hunt. This is one of the deepest/most talented group of backs to come into the league in some time. We find out how each will be featured this week.

Note: Fournette and McCaffrey were drafted 4^th and 8^th overall, respectively. In the previous four drafts combined, only two running backs were selected in the top-10.

1. Marcus Mariota v. Derek Carr

Sunday will showcase two of the best young signal callers in the game when Mariota’s Titans play host to Carr’s Raiders. Both quarterback’s seasons were cut short due to injury a year ago. Now fully healthy, and both teams having high expectations, this has the chance to be one of the best games on the slate. Two great offensive lines, two great receiving corps, two great quarterbacks, two great offenses. Defenses? A work in progress to say the least. Points should be a plenty in this one. And who could forget about the return of Beast Mode?

Note: Mariota’s career numbers inside the red zone: 33 touchdowns, ZERO interceptions. 

Five Teams that Could Surprise in 2017

Every year there is a team or two that catches the league by surprise. Just a season ago, the Atlanta Falcons went from being an afterthought (18-30 previous three seasons) to winning the NFC and nearly capturing the Super Bowl title. The Miami Dolphins started the season 1-4 before reeling off nine of their next ten for a playoff berth and their first winning record in eight seasons. 

(NFL.com)

                                              
Here are five teams that are set up to change their fortunes in ’17:

5. Arizona Cardinals

Playoff drought – 1 season

Much of the NFL season is surrounded by ‘ifs’. That couldn’t be truer for the Arizona Cardinals. Last year, injuries to QB Carson Palmer and DB Tyrann Mathieu made it tough to make a run at the playoffs. This season, with a healthy roster, the Cards are in position to make some noise in the NFC West - that is, IF they can stay healthy as the season wears on. This is a team that boasts the best all-around running back in the league in David Johnson (2,118 yards from scrimmage, 20 TD’s in ‘16) and one of the all-time greats in WR Larry Fitzgerald. And much is still intact from a team that two seasons ago had the number one ranked offense in the league. In 2016, Arizona ranked number two in total defense and number nine in total offense. The window of opportunity is closing but IF those numbers stay consistent, the Cardinals will be in playoff contention in ’17.

4. Los Angeles Chargers

Playoff drought – 3 seasons

A team smothered with injuries a season ago (most in the league), the Chargers were still a competitive group. Yes, they lost to the Browns and yes they were 5-11, but in those 11 losses, the average margin of defeat was 5.5 points! Every loss but one was by single digits, including three losses by 3 points, one loss by 1, one by 4 and another in overtime. Even if half of those games went their way they would have been at the least .500. 

This is a team loaded with talent. They’ve lost some key pieces once again to injury (LB Denzel Perryman, rookie G Forrest Lamp, rookie WR Mike Williams) but they’ve also brought some back in WR’s Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin, among others. The defense is quietly becoming a force, particularly up front. DE’s Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram along with tackles Corey Liuget and Brandon Mebane form one of the most talented fronts in the game. And don’t forget this is a team that still has one of the most underrated gunslingers behind center in Philip Rivers. Entering his 14^th season, he is a lock to pass for more than 4,000 yards and 30 TD’s. Cutting back on turnovers (21 INT’s last year) will be key to making a run. Having his full set of playmakers at his disposal – including do-it-all running back Melvin Gordon, wideouts Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams, and legendary tight end Antonio Gates – should help do just that. Under the radar and a new destination has the Bolts primed for a bounce back campaign in ’17.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Playoff drought – 3 seasons

The Eagles finished 7-9 a season ago with a first year head coach and a rookie quarterback. Not bad for an initial campaign in a loaded division. And given what he had to work with, Carson Wentz put together a solid first season (3,782 yards, 16 TD, 14 INT, 62.4 comp. %). Enter 2017, and he will have much better targets at his disposal with the additions of deep threat WR’s Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. Add in do-it-all back Darren Sproles, and this should be an offense that boasts speed & quickness with the ability to create mismatches. Meanwhile, the defense boasts arguably the deepest front in the game, with DE’s Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham, Chris Long, & rookie Derek Barnett, and DT’s Timmy Jernigan & Fletcher Cox manning the inside. Good luck blocking that front for 60 minutes. The secondary isn’t short on talent either with SS Malcolm Jenkins, FS Rodney McLeod and newly acquired CB Ronald Darby. This is a defense that has top-10, if not top-5, potential. 

Philly has the pieces in place to become a contender in the East. Also, keep this in mind: No team in the NFC East has repeated as division champions since 2004, when the Eagles captured their 4^th in a row.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Playoff drought – 9 seasons

There is reason for optimism in the Sunshine state. Superstars are emerging in DT Gerald McCoy, WR Mike Evans. The defense has up-and-comers in DE Noah Spence, and LB LaVonte David. They’ve added speedster DeSean Jackson, and versatile rookie TE O.J. Howard. But when all said and done, there is only one reason this team is on the rise and it starts and ends with #3.

There’s no denying Jameis Winston’s talent. But sometimes he looks like the next great while other times he looks like a mere rookie. There are the positives - he is the first player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, and he has accounted for 57 touchdowns (50 passing, 7 rushing). Then, there is the glaring negative - he is responsible for 41 turnovers (33 INT, 8 Fum) in that span. Beyond all that however, one thing is apparent about Famous Jameis (especially if you’ve watched ‘Hard Knocks’) – his leadership. He not only holds himself accountable, but his teammates as well. And most don’t realize this is a guy that is only 23 years old. The Bucs have increased their win total each of the last two seasons under Winston (had just 2 wins the season prior to drafting him). And this season, having been given his best supporting cast to date, that trend should continue, with a real chance at ending the Bucs nine year playoff drought. 

Side Note: Jameis Winston is the only QB in the NFC South not to have been to the Super Bowl (Brees, Ryan, and Newton).

1. Tennessee Titans

Playoff drought – 8 seasons

Tennessee has slowly been building a contender. Last season they nearly saw the fruits of their labor after finishing 9-7 (six more wins than the previous season). If it weren’t for quarterback Marcus Mariota sustaining a season-ending injury, the Titans very well may have won the division and made a trip to the postseason for the first time since ‘08. Now, all healthy again, they have added playmakers on the outside in rookie WR Corey Davis and veteran Erik Decker to complement an already powerful running game (ranked 3^rd in the league in ‘16). The defense isn’t far from being elite either as they ranked 2^nd in rushing yards allowed and 6^th in sacks a season ago. If their secondary can improve (20^th against the pass), and Mariota can stay healthy, this is a team that will push for a division crown and potentially make some noise in the playoffs.