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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ave-best-chance-to-reach-nfl-playoffs-in-2015
Teams with Losing Records Who Have Best Chance to Reach NFL Playoffs in 2015
By Russell S. Baxter, Featured Columnist
Let’s do the math.
There are 32 teams in the NFL and each year, 12 of those clubs reach the playoffs.
Following last night’s 19-13 victory by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans, there are still just 12 teams in the league that are .500 or above while 20 teams sport losing win-loss records.
So are we certain that the 5-5 New York Giants and the other 11 clubs with winning ledgers are playoff locks? Hardly.
Here we will rate the chances of 11 teams with four wins, all with losing marks in 2015, and their chances of reaching the postseason this year. We will take into account the way each team is playing these days, along with their remaining opponents.
We are not predicting that all of the clubs mentioned here will indeed reach the postseason. But we will rank their chances, from worst to best, when it comes to their aspirations of playing some extra football this season.
Too Big of a Hole
We don’t see any of the following nine teams (listed in alphabetical order) making a serious run at the playoffs, regardless of the fact that none of them have been mathematically eliminated.
Baltimore Ravens (2-7)
Everything that could go wrong just about has when it comes to the Ravens this season. A team and head coach that has been in the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons and hasn’t posted a losing campaign under John Harbaugh will have to reverse things quickly to avoid the latter.
Cleveland Browns (2-8)
So what else is new? Even if they run the table, the Browns won’t post a winning season for the 15th time in 17 seasons dating back to 1999, their return to the league as an expansion franchise. At the very least, it appears the team is going to find out what they have in second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel for the remainder of the season.
Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
Never say never, but have we seen anything to indicate that the Dallas Cowboys are capable of putting together a seven-game winning streak even with quarterback Tony Romo slated to return this Sunday? Yes, Jason Garrett’s team owns a pair of divisional wins but have also lost to the Giants and Eagles this year and are in the midst of a seven-game skid.
Detroit Lions (2-7)
The good news was that the Lions finally managed to beat the Packers in the state of Wisconsin for the first time in 24 years. The bad news is that the only other team they managed to best this season are the Chicago Bears. It’s simply too big of a hole for Jim Caldwell’s club.
Miami Dolphins (4-5)
The Dolphins are the only team in the AFC East sporting a losing record and they also haven’t won a game within the division this season (0-4). The defense has been inconsistent to say the least and simply put, Dan Campbell’s club has too many teams to climb over in the division.
New Orleans Saints (4-6)
Yes, this team still has quarterback Drew Brees. But their deficiencies on defense are severe and that’s an understatement. In their last three games alone, the Saints have surrendered a total of 130 points. Good luck to new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
San Diego Chargers (2-7)
It wasn’t that long ago that the Bolts were 2-2 and hanging around in the AFC West. But the current losing streak has reached five games and there have been a bunch of heartbreakers along the way. Quarterback Philip Rivers has been bitten by the turnover bug once again and the Chargers have allowed at least 20 points in each of their nine games this season.
San Francisco 49ers (3-6)
Given the preseason forecast for the Niners, you have to like the fact that the team has played pretty respectable football at home, with two of their wins this season over the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings and 6-3 Atlanta Falcons. But Jim Tomsula’s squad has been embarrassed in three games within the division (outscored a combined 94-16 by the Cardinals, Seahawks and Rams) and there are issues all over.
Tennessee Titans (2-8)
The Titans are a better football team on the defensive side of the ball. And rookie signal-caller Marcus Mariota has the look of a future star. But the absence of a consistent running attack and a lack of offensive weapons limits this club, which is winless (0-3) within the division this season.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
For the first time since the middle of the 2013 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are riding a two-game winning streak. That comes courtesy of their “interesting” 22-20 victory at Baltimore this past Sunday as well as Thursday’s night’s 19-13 triumph over the Tennessee Titans
While it didn’t really show at home in primetime, this is an improving offensive team led by second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, who has thrown 20 touchdown passes and a dozen interceptions in 10 games this season. A year ago, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft managed 11 scores through the air while being picked off 17 times in 14 contests.
Gus Bradley’s squad has already scored 211 points this year, well ahead of their performance the previous two seasons in which they finished dead last in the NFL in scoring in both 2013 (247 points) and ’14 (249). The defense has been spotty but playing better as of late.
But the Jaguars still have those six losses. We may get a better gauge of the team over the next few weeks as they play three of their next four games at home.
10. Chicago Bears (4-5)
Although the Chicago Bears entered 2015 with a new man in charge on the sidelines, they began the season looking an awful lot like the team that finished 5-11 a year ago.
Outscored a combined 105-45 in losing their first three games, John Fox’s team had all the looks of being an also-ran this year.
But a funny thing happened on the way to a certain high draft choice. Chicago has won four of its last six contests and get back to .500 with a win on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos. It’s a big game for Fox for a number of reasons, as well as perhaps Jay Cutler—the latter obviously responding to both offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains this season.
With running back Matt Forte currently sidelined, rookie Jeremy Langford has responded. Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been banged up this season and the 10-year signal-caller has not only managed to make due, he’s rescued the Bears on more than one occasion late in games this season.
If the defense continues to improved, this could be a very dangerous football team in December. But it’s still a big IF for now.
9. Oakland Raiders (4-5)
It is quite safe to say that the Silver and Black is back when it comes to the offensive side of the football.
When it comes to the defense, the Oakland Raiders obviously still have a lot of work to do. And it’s the latter that may eventually keep this club out of the playoffs for a 13th consecutive year.
While quarterback Derek Carr, running back Latavius Murray and the potent wide-receiving duo of Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper have been impressive, only two teams in the NFL have allowed more total yards per game and only the Giants are giving up more passing yards per contest.
While Jack Del Rio’s team faces a pair of two-win clubs the next two weeks in the Detroit Lions (2-7) and Tennessee Titans (2-8), the Raiders also play four of their final five games within the division, including two with the Chiefs.
You can expect Oakland to challenge any opposing defense. It’s stopping the other teams that has been this club’s Achilles’ heel to date.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)
Cliff McBride/Getty Images
Slowly but surely, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their rookie quarterback are making strides.
The only problem is that with only seven games remaining this season, slowly isn’t doing head coach Lovie Smith much good.
With Jameis Winston doing a better job of securing the football and the Bucs doing a respectable job of forcing turnovers (16 in nine games), this erratic but improving squad has split its last eight games and kept their helmets above water for now.
It is worth noting that the Buccaneers do own road divisional wins over both the Saints and Falcons but did drop a home game to the first-place Carolina Panthers. In any case, the team still has five conference games remaining and their season could indeed come down to Weeks 13 and 14, when they play back-to-back home games against Atlanta and New Orleans…granted they keep on winning.
7. St. Louis Rams (4-5)
L.G. Patterson/Associated Press
Can a change behind center get the St. Louis Rams’ struggling offense on track?
This Sunday at Baltimore, Jeff Fisher has opted to give backup quarterback Case Keenum the nod against the Ravens.
“You know, Nick just needs a break,” said Fisher on Monday (courtesy of Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com). “Nick just needs a break right now.”
A break is being somewhat polite when it comes to the former Pro Bowl quarterback, who has completed only 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,678 yards and seven scores while being picked off six times and losing two of his five fumbles.
It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise and it’s quite clear that the Rams aren’t about to waste the season-long play of their defense, which has surrendered only 14 offensive touchdowns in nine games. Of course, Fisher and Co. also have to learn to beat some of the teams outside their division. The Rams are 3-0 this season versus their NFC West brethren and 1-5 against the rest of the NFL.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5)
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Can anyone figure out the Philadelphia Eagles? There are few teams in the NFL this season who have been more inconsistent and that’s a compliment.
Just when the team looks like it has a head of steam, it somehow stubs its toes. Last Sunday at home, the Birds opened up a 16-3 first-quarter lead against the Miami Dolphins and wound up on the losing end of a 20-19 decision.
Now it appears that at least for this week, disappointing quarterback Sam Bradford will be shelved for Sunday due to a concussion suffered last week against Miami. Veteran Mark Sanchez steps in and should be fine due to his familiarity with Chip Kelly’s offense but he has to cut back on those dreaded turnovers.
While Philadelphia’s defensive rankings are far from special, the performance on the field has been much better. There’s still time for the Eagles, who play four of their final seven games at home. But they can’t continue to let wins slip out of their hands.
5. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
If you are scratching your head and wondering why we don’t have the Indianapolis Colts a little “higher” on the list, we have our reasons.
One has to do with a little luck. Make that a little less of Luck, as in Andrew. The fourth-year signal-caller is out of action for the second time this season (this time with a lacerated kidney) and the team’s head coach knows that Luck has to change his style of play.
“We’re going to talk every day until he figures it out and we figure it out as a team,” said Chuck Pagano to Stephen Holder of IndyStar.com. “He knows full well that he can’t do that. He can’t put himself and this team in jeopardy. You love the grit, and you love the toughness and all that stuff. But playing the position like a linebacker? You can’t.”
What it means is that Matt Hasselbeck is once again at the controls for the Colts, who were off this past week and got a chance to savor their 27-24 win over the previously-undefeated Broncos. It was also the first time in nine games in 2014 that Indianapolis defeated a team outside of its division.
So how long can the veteran quarterback (2-0 this season as a starter) hold up? And can the much-maligned Colts defense do its share. Those are some tough questions.
4. Washington Redskins (4-5)
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
It’s worth a mention that not only have the Washington Redskins now won as many games as they did all of last season, Jay Gruden’s squad is riding a four-game home winning streak.
Of course, it may not make ‘Skins fans happy to be reminded that their team has also lost four in a row on the road.
In any case, Washington is one-half game out of first place in the muddled NFC East, where no team has a winning record. The team visits 9-0 Carolina this Sunday but four of their final six contests are versus their divisional rivals, including a home tilt with the Giants in Week 12 and two games with the Dallas Cowboys.
Both quarterback Kirk Cousins and the defense have had their ups-and-downs. But Jay Gruden’s team also plays only one non-conference game the remainder of the season and the Redskins are 4-2 vs. NFC foes.
A postseason invitation is Washington’s for the taking.
3. Houston Texans (4-5)
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans have had their issues at quarterback this season, one reason that Bill O’Brien’s club is below the .500 mark nine games into 2015.
Another issue has been the play of a defense that many felt would be among the league’s better units this year. We have seen the Texans embarrassed at times, most notably in road losses to the Falcons and Dolphins.
But as of late, that same unit has been pretty impressive, limiting both the Tennessee Titans and previously-unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals to a pair of field goal apiece. A 2-5 start has now turned into a 4-5 campaign and a tie for first place in the struggling AFC South.
This week, it could be quarterback T.J. Yates in place of Brian Hoyer (who suffered a concussion in Monday’s win at Cincinnati). More importantly, it’s defensive end J.J. Watt and that Houston defense. We’ll see what Bill O’Brien’s club does with three home games in the next four weeks, as well as three straight divisional games to close out 2015.
2. Seattle Seahawks (4-5)
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
That heralded defensive unit of the Seattle Seahawks of recent seasons has taken a few hits to its reputation this year.
Pete Carroll’s team has already lost more game in 2015 than it did after finishing 12-4 a season ago. From a troubled offensive line to a defense missing safety Kam Chancellor for a few games to the relative-ineffectiveness of tight end Jimmy Graham, it’s been a disappointing season to date for the defending NFC champions.
But weren’t we saying the same after six games in 2014, when the then-defending Super Bowl champions owned a 3-3 mark? Although the club comes off its second home loss this season, a 39-32 setback to the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks have been down this path before.
Yes, quarterback Russell Wilson has been sacked 33 times in nine games and has almost as many turnovers (nine) as touchdown passes (10). But we’re giving Carroll and Co. the experienced benefit of the doubt as they seek a fourth straight playoff appearance.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5)
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs dug themselves a 0-2 hole, rallied to get themselves back in the playoff race only to fall short of the postseason with a 9-7 record.
This season, the team opened with a win at Houston but then proceeded to drop their next five games. But the Chiefs have reversed things as of late, winners of three straight games—including conquests of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.
After a three-game stretch in which Reid’s club allowed 31-plus points, Kansas City has limited each of its last five foes under 20 points. Led by outside linebacker Justin Houston, the Chiefs have totaled 26 sacks and forced 16 turnovers.
With Jamaal Charles out for the season, Charcandrick West has stepped in and rushed for 357 yards and three scores this season. Quarterback Alex Smith has thrown only 10 touchdown passes but has committed a mere three turnovers in nine contests.
While the Chiefs have finished their season series with the Broncos, they’ve yet to face the Chargers or Raiders this season. In fact, all seven of the team’s final game are conference opponents, putting them in prime position to determine their own postseason fate.
All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth-chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com. All player ratings courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Teams with Losing Records Who Have Best Chance to Reach NFL Playoffs in 2015
By Russell S. Baxter, Featured Columnist
Let’s do the math.
There are 32 teams in the NFL and each year, 12 of those clubs reach the playoffs.
Following last night’s 19-13 victory by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans, there are still just 12 teams in the league that are .500 or above while 20 teams sport losing win-loss records.
So are we certain that the 5-5 New York Giants and the other 11 clubs with winning ledgers are playoff locks? Hardly.
Here we will rate the chances of 11 teams with four wins, all with losing marks in 2015, and their chances of reaching the postseason this year. We will take into account the way each team is playing these days, along with their remaining opponents.
We are not predicting that all of the clubs mentioned here will indeed reach the postseason. But we will rank their chances, from worst to best, when it comes to their aspirations of playing some extra football this season.
Too Big of a Hole
We don’t see any of the following nine teams (listed in alphabetical order) making a serious run at the playoffs, regardless of the fact that none of them have been mathematically eliminated.
Baltimore Ravens (2-7)
Everything that could go wrong just about has when it comes to the Ravens this season. A team and head coach that has been in the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons and hasn’t posted a losing campaign under John Harbaugh will have to reverse things quickly to avoid the latter.
Cleveland Browns (2-8)
So what else is new? Even if they run the table, the Browns won’t post a winning season for the 15th time in 17 seasons dating back to 1999, their return to the league as an expansion franchise. At the very least, it appears the team is going to find out what they have in second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel for the remainder of the season.
Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
Never say never, but have we seen anything to indicate that the Dallas Cowboys are capable of putting together a seven-game winning streak even with quarterback Tony Romo slated to return this Sunday? Yes, Jason Garrett’s team owns a pair of divisional wins but have also lost to the Giants and Eagles this year and are in the midst of a seven-game skid.
Detroit Lions (2-7)
The good news was that the Lions finally managed to beat the Packers in the state of Wisconsin for the first time in 24 years. The bad news is that the only other team they managed to best this season are the Chicago Bears. It’s simply too big of a hole for Jim Caldwell’s club.
Miami Dolphins (4-5)
The Dolphins are the only team in the AFC East sporting a losing record and they also haven’t won a game within the division this season (0-4). The defense has been inconsistent to say the least and simply put, Dan Campbell’s club has too many teams to climb over in the division.
New Orleans Saints (4-6)
Yes, this team still has quarterback Drew Brees. But their deficiencies on defense are severe and that’s an understatement. In their last three games alone, the Saints have surrendered a total of 130 points. Good luck to new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
San Diego Chargers (2-7)
It wasn’t that long ago that the Bolts were 2-2 and hanging around in the AFC West. But the current losing streak has reached five games and there have been a bunch of heartbreakers along the way. Quarterback Philip Rivers has been bitten by the turnover bug once again and the Chargers have allowed at least 20 points in each of their nine games this season.
San Francisco 49ers (3-6)
Given the preseason forecast for the Niners, you have to like the fact that the team has played pretty respectable football at home, with two of their wins this season over the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings and 6-3 Atlanta Falcons. But Jim Tomsula’s squad has been embarrassed in three games within the division (outscored a combined 94-16 by the Cardinals, Seahawks and Rams) and there are issues all over.
Tennessee Titans (2-8)
The Titans are a better football team on the defensive side of the ball. And rookie signal-caller Marcus Mariota has the look of a future star. But the absence of a consistent running attack and a lack of offensive weapons limits this club, which is winless (0-3) within the division this season.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)
For the first time since the middle of the 2013 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are riding a two-game winning streak. That comes courtesy of their “interesting” 22-20 victory at Baltimore this past Sunday as well as Thursday’s night’s 19-13 triumph over the Tennessee Titans
While it didn’t really show at home in primetime, this is an improving offensive team led by second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, who has thrown 20 touchdown passes and a dozen interceptions in 10 games this season. A year ago, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft managed 11 scores through the air while being picked off 17 times in 14 contests.
Gus Bradley’s squad has already scored 211 points this year, well ahead of their performance the previous two seasons in which they finished dead last in the NFL in scoring in both 2013 (247 points) and ’14 (249). The defense has been spotty but playing better as of late.
But the Jaguars still have those six losses. We may get a better gauge of the team over the next few weeks as they play three of their next four games at home.
10. Chicago Bears (4-5)
Although the Chicago Bears entered 2015 with a new man in charge on the sidelines, they began the season looking an awful lot like the team that finished 5-11 a year ago.
Outscored a combined 105-45 in losing their first three games, John Fox’s team had all the looks of being an also-ran this year.
But a funny thing happened on the way to a certain high draft choice. Chicago has won four of its last six contests and get back to .500 with a win on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos. It’s a big game for Fox for a number of reasons, as well as perhaps Jay Cutler—the latter obviously responding to both offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains this season.
With running back Matt Forte currently sidelined, rookie Jeremy Langford has responded. Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been banged up this season and the 10-year signal-caller has not only managed to make due, he’s rescued the Bears on more than one occasion late in games this season.
If the defense continues to improved, this could be a very dangerous football team in December. But it’s still a big IF for now.
9. Oakland Raiders (4-5)
It is quite safe to say that the Silver and Black is back when it comes to the offensive side of the football.
When it comes to the defense, the Oakland Raiders obviously still have a lot of work to do. And it’s the latter that may eventually keep this club out of the playoffs for a 13th consecutive year.
While quarterback Derek Carr, running back Latavius Murray and the potent wide-receiving duo of Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper have been impressive, only two teams in the NFL have allowed more total yards per game and only the Giants are giving up more passing yards per contest.
While Jack Del Rio’s team faces a pair of two-win clubs the next two weeks in the Detroit Lions (2-7) and Tennessee Titans (2-8), the Raiders also play four of their final five games within the division, including two with the Chiefs.
You can expect Oakland to challenge any opposing defense. It’s stopping the other teams that has been this club’s Achilles’ heel to date.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)
Cliff McBride/Getty Images
Slowly but surely, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their rookie quarterback are making strides.
The only problem is that with only seven games remaining this season, slowly isn’t doing head coach Lovie Smith much good.
With Jameis Winston doing a better job of securing the football and the Bucs doing a respectable job of forcing turnovers (16 in nine games), this erratic but improving squad has split its last eight games and kept their helmets above water for now.
It is worth noting that the Buccaneers do own road divisional wins over both the Saints and Falcons but did drop a home game to the first-place Carolina Panthers. In any case, the team still has five conference games remaining and their season could indeed come down to Weeks 13 and 14, when they play back-to-back home games against Atlanta and New Orleans…granted they keep on winning.
7. St. Louis Rams (4-5)
L.G. Patterson/Associated Press
Can a change behind center get the St. Louis Rams’ struggling offense on track?
This Sunday at Baltimore, Jeff Fisher has opted to give backup quarterback Case Keenum the nod against the Ravens.
“You know, Nick just needs a break,” said Fisher on Monday (courtesy of Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com). “Nick just needs a break right now.”
A break is being somewhat polite when it comes to the former Pro Bowl quarterback, who has completed only 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,678 yards and seven scores while being picked off six times and losing two of his five fumbles.
It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise and it’s quite clear that the Rams aren’t about to waste the season-long play of their defense, which has surrendered only 14 offensive touchdowns in nine games. Of course, Fisher and Co. also have to learn to beat some of the teams outside their division. The Rams are 3-0 this season versus their NFC West brethren and 1-5 against the rest of the NFL.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5)
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Can anyone figure out the Philadelphia Eagles? There are few teams in the NFL this season who have been more inconsistent and that’s a compliment.
Just when the team looks like it has a head of steam, it somehow stubs its toes. Last Sunday at home, the Birds opened up a 16-3 first-quarter lead against the Miami Dolphins and wound up on the losing end of a 20-19 decision.
Now it appears that at least for this week, disappointing quarterback Sam Bradford will be shelved for Sunday due to a concussion suffered last week against Miami. Veteran Mark Sanchez steps in and should be fine due to his familiarity with Chip Kelly’s offense but he has to cut back on those dreaded turnovers.
While Philadelphia’s defensive rankings are far from special, the performance on the field has been much better. There’s still time for the Eagles, who play four of their final seven games at home. But they can’t continue to let wins slip out of their hands.
5. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
If you are scratching your head and wondering why we don’t have the Indianapolis Colts a little “higher” on the list, we have our reasons.
One has to do with a little luck. Make that a little less of Luck, as in Andrew. The fourth-year signal-caller is out of action for the second time this season (this time with a lacerated kidney) and the team’s head coach knows that Luck has to change his style of play.
“We’re going to talk every day until he figures it out and we figure it out as a team,” said Chuck Pagano to Stephen Holder of IndyStar.com. “He knows full well that he can’t do that. He can’t put himself and this team in jeopardy. You love the grit, and you love the toughness and all that stuff. But playing the position like a linebacker? You can’t.”
What it means is that Matt Hasselbeck is once again at the controls for the Colts, who were off this past week and got a chance to savor their 27-24 win over the previously-undefeated Broncos. It was also the first time in nine games in 2014 that Indianapolis defeated a team outside of its division.
So how long can the veteran quarterback (2-0 this season as a starter) hold up? And can the much-maligned Colts defense do its share. Those are some tough questions.
4. Washington Redskins (4-5)
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
It’s worth a mention that not only have the Washington Redskins now won as many games as they did all of last season, Jay Gruden’s squad is riding a four-game home winning streak.
Of course, it may not make ‘Skins fans happy to be reminded that their team has also lost four in a row on the road.
In any case, Washington is one-half game out of first place in the muddled NFC East, where no team has a winning record. The team visits 9-0 Carolina this Sunday but four of their final six contests are versus their divisional rivals, including a home tilt with the Giants in Week 12 and two games with the Dallas Cowboys.
Both quarterback Kirk Cousins and the defense have had their ups-and-downs. But Jay Gruden’s team also plays only one non-conference game the remainder of the season and the Redskins are 4-2 vs. NFC foes.
A postseason invitation is Washington’s for the taking.
3. Houston Texans (4-5)
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans have had their issues at quarterback this season, one reason that Bill O’Brien’s club is below the .500 mark nine games into 2015.
Another issue has been the play of a defense that many felt would be among the league’s better units this year. We have seen the Texans embarrassed at times, most notably in road losses to the Falcons and Dolphins.
But as of late, that same unit has been pretty impressive, limiting both the Tennessee Titans and previously-unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals to a pair of field goal apiece. A 2-5 start has now turned into a 4-5 campaign and a tie for first place in the struggling AFC South.
This week, it could be quarterback T.J. Yates in place of Brian Hoyer (who suffered a concussion in Monday’s win at Cincinnati). More importantly, it’s defensive end J.J. Watt and that Houston defense. We’ll see what Bill O’Brien’s club does with three home games in the next four weeks, as well as three straight divisional games to close out 2015.
2. Seattle Seahawks (4-5)
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
That heralded defensive unit of the Seattle Seahawks of recent seasons has taken a few hits to its reputation this year.
Pete Carroll’s team has already lost more game in 2015 than it did after finishing 12-4 a season ago. From a troubled offensive line to a defense missing safety Kam Chancellor for a few games to the relative-ineffectiveness of tight end Jimmy Graham, it’s been a disappointing season to date for the defending NFC champions.
But weren’t we saying the same after six games in 2014, when the then-defending Super Bowl champions owned a 3-3 mark? Although the club comes off its second home loss this season, a 39-32 setback to the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks have been down this path before.
Yes, quarterback Russell Wilson has been sacked 33 times in nine games and has almost as many turnovers (nine) as touchdown passes (10). But we’re giving Carroll and Co. the experienced benefit of the doubt as they seek a fourth straight playoff appearance.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5)
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs dug themselves a 0-2 hole, rallied to get themselves back in the playoff race only to fall short of the postseason with a 9-7 record.
This season, the team opened with a win at Houston but then proceeded to drop their next five games. But the Chiefs have reversed things as of late, winners of three straight games—including conquests of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.
After a three-game stretch in which Reid’s club allowed 31-plus points, Kansas City has limited each of its last five foes under 20 points. Led by outside linebacker Justin Houston, the Chiefs have totaled 26 sacks and forced 16 turnovers.
With Jamaal Charles out for the season, Charcandrick West has stepped in and rushed for 357 yards and three scores this season. Quarterback Alex Smith has thrown only 10 touchdown passes but has committed a mere three turnovers in nine contests.
While the Chiefs have finished their season series with the Broncos, they’ve yet to face the Chargers or Raiders this season. In fact, all seven of the team’s final game are conference opponents, putting them in prime position to determine their own postseason fate.
All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth-chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com. All player ratings courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
