Quick Fixes for 5 Underachieving NFL Teams

Underachieving is the absolute worst. 

There's nothing more frustrating than stockpiling talented players in free agency and through the draft, which yields considerable hype, then disappointingly falling flat on your face when the regular season rolls around. 

We saw the Philadelphia Eagles, the "Dream Team" and a true Super Bowl favorite, experience a catastrophic start to the 2011 season before ultimately finishing 8-8 and missing the playoffs.

But luckily for the Eagles and other underachieving clubs in the NFL, there are a few quick fixes that can be implemented to greatly aid many issues.  

New York Jets

Quick Fix: Give Mark Sanchez Easy Reads

The team must simplify everything for starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. It won't be a knock on Sanchez's physical abilities or capacity to decipher opposing defenses—it'll simply make him a more efficient quarterback. 

One or two reads per pass play before checking down is all Sanchez needs. He has a good arm and typically makes his most accurate throws when he's in a rhythm and has completed a few easy tosses. 

He can't be put into a situation to force balls into double and triple coverage. 

Rookie wideout Stephen Hill should be able to help increase Sanchez's down-field completion percentage. Living to see another down must be Sanchez's mantra in 2012. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Quick Fix: Get LeSean McCoy His Touches, Then Give Him More Touches 

LeSean McCoy was named to the All-Pro team after a 1,264-total-yard, 20-total-touchdown masterpiece in 2011. 

The Philadelphia Eagles, with Michael Vick at quarterback and speed at the wide receiver spots, look the part of a vertical, pass-happy team. 

While it's hard to deter them from throwing the football, they must lean on the most reliable and productive player on their roster. 

That is undoubtedly McCoy. 

He'll never be a 30-carry-a-game back, but he must receive the football that many times when he's on the field. He's scary in open space, and when the ball's in his hands, he gives Philadelphia's defense time to rest. 

Be smart, Andy Reid. 

San Diego Chargers

Quick Fix: Slow Down the Tempo

Philip Rivers is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He is capable of amassing remarkable throwing statistics every year.

However, has the vertical offense led to great team success for the Chargers over the last three years? 

Time for a change. 

Running back Ryan Mathews played in 14 games last season and quietly ran for over 1,000 yards and caught 50 passes for 455 yards. 

He needs to be more prominently featured in the foreseeable future. 

It won't be easy to calm the propensity to throw the football with free-agent acquisition Robert Meachem in the fold, but slowing down the tempo with more runs and more intermediate passes will go a long way for the talented Chargers club. 

Dallas Cowboys

Quick Fix: Limit Vital Late-Game Mistakes

From a statistical standpoint, Tony Romo had one of the best seasons of his career in 2011. He threw for over 4,100 yards and had 31 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, but the Cowboys' season was billed a disappointment after they failed to reach the postseason. 

The Cowboys' quick fix may be obvious, but it's a necessity, especially from Romo, if they want to achieve their lofty goals. 

In Week 1 last season, Romo wasn't on the same page as Dez Bryant late in the fourth quarter and threw an absolutely horrible interception to the Jets' Darrelle Revis. 

Dallas lost that game by a field goal. 

After jumping out to a 27-3 lead over the Detroit Lions, Romo threw two pick-sixes to keep Jim Schwartz's team in the game. 

Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson led a furious comeback and beat the Cowboys in Dallas, 34-30. 

Buffalo Bills

Quick Fix: Run the Football a Lot More

The Bills don't fit the conventional definition of underachieving, but after missing the playoffs for 12-straight seasons, something needs to be fixed. 

After a hot start to the year ultimately fizzled to a 6-10 record, many believe Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't a capable starting quarterback. 

While he may not be the next Jim Kelly, his responsibilities simply must be scaled back. 

Buffalo has the luxury of two fine—yet drastically different—running backs on its roster. Fred Jackson was having an All-Pro caliber season before going down with a leg injury in Week 11.

He's a bigger, more between-the-tackles runner with surprising shiftiness that gives him the enviable ability to make defenders miss. C.J. Spiller's the more diminutive, home-run hitter with an incredible burst.

As Jackson's replacement late last season, he began to display the patience needed to set up blocks and become a viable perimeter threat. 

The Bills must give these two backs as many carries as possible, sprinkle chain-moving passes to David Nelson and Stevie Johnson, and occasionally throw the deep ball.