1 Thing on Each NFL Team's Holiday Wish List
'Tis the season for the NFL to start revving up for the postseason.
While 12 teams will be hoping for a Lombardi Trophy as a gift, all 32 NFL clubs all have at least one thing they'll wish for this holiday season.
A new quarterback, a good offseason or the health of a certain player: Every team has at least one thing that will improve its current state either now or in the future.
Santa's a generous man, but he's only limited teams to one gift request this Christmas. Bleacher Report was able to steal the master list and has compiled a slideshow of each team's biggest need this winter.
Will your favorite team get what it wants this Christmas? That depends. Some of these requests are a bit far-reaching. Santa's even changed a few in hopes some teams will realize what they think they need isn't necessarily what they actually need.
Remember the year you asked for an Eurythmics concert in your basement?
Just me, huh?
Let's just get to the list...
Tennessee Titans (2-13): Somebody to Step Up on Offense
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The Titans offense has been brutal this year, notching just 16.3 points a game this season and besting only the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets in that category.
The easy way to put it is that nobody is stepping up on offense.
Current quarterback Charlie Whitehurst is a career backup, first-round bust Jake Locker gets injured every play and the promising Zach Mettenberger was doing a great job slinging the ball downfield before ending his season with an AC joint separation in Week 14.
Running back Bishop Sankey, a second-round pick and the first running back taken in the 2014 NFL draft, was placed into a favorable position to win the starting job out of training camp. He was beaten out by an average Shonn Greene and only claimed the starting job after Greene got injured early in the season.
Sankey hasn't shown much burst, much power or much of anything. He has a plodding 3.7 yards per carry to go with just two touchdowns.
The wide receiver who is always supposed to break out but never does, Kendall Wright, has just one 100-yard receiving game this year. It should be mentioned that it came with Mettenberger at quarterback.
Somebody needs to do something on offense for this Titans team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-13): A New Quarterback
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What's often the case for the stumbling teams of the league is that they lack an efficient signal-caller.
Despite being somewhat decent under center, Mike Glennon was cast aside this past offseason for journeyman Jake McCown.
Both quarterbacks don't seem to be the answer.
The man who might fill that role is Oregon State quarterback and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. The junior has posted impressive numbers this year, including 10.17 yards per attempt, 38 passing touchdowns to just two interceptions and a 68.3 completion percentage.
While many draft experts, including Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, consider this quarterback class to be weak, Mariota might just disprove that notion.
Cross your fingers, Tampa Bay.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12): A Solid Offseason
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For the first time in a long time, the Jacksonville Jaguars show a bit of promise heading into the offseason.
Rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has had his struggles but certainly won't be confused with Blaine Gabbert anytime soon. Bortles has moxy, composure and a great arm that will only get better with refined technique and mechanics in the offseason.
Running back Denard Robinson showed promise before a foot sprain sidelined him late this season, while a young receiving corps will only get better with more experience.
The defense has some issues but also some bright spots, including the emergence of veteran defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks and his 8.5 total sacks.
Hey, the team almost took out the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, too. That counts for something, right?
The Jaguars simply need to keep moving forward. The way they can do that is by solidifying the trenches on both sides of the ball in the upcoming draft. A veteran signing or two might also help, especially when dealing with the young receiving threats the team possesses.
There's certainly a lot of room for optimism this team, much more than in years past.
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New York Jets (3-12): Passing Over Jameis Winston on Draft Day
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The New York Jets figure to overhaul their coaching staff this offseason. While Rex Ryan's replacement will undoubtedly want his own quarterback to replace the poor Geno Smith, that answer shouldn't come with the last name of Winston.
Off-field issues are abundant for the Florida State phenom. Adding the element of a hostile media environment in New York would be a recipe for disaster. While Jameis Winston has the intangibles needed to succeed in the NFL, his off-field antics have a better chance of getting in the way.
Let some other team go for the surefire bust. If the Jets are smart, they'll go with the best player available or look to accumulate picks via trade.
What the Jets want this Christmas is something they might not even know themselves: passing on Winston.
Oakland Raiders (3-12): Doing Something Right for Once
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The Oakland Raiders have flubbed a million draft picks. They've made some bizarre trades. They've signed a few unnecessary free agents. Oh, and they don't seem to be too keen on starting the right players (see Murray, Latavius).
After the death of longtime owner Al Davis, things looked like they would change. Though his son, Mark Davis, seems to be improving his team's relations with the league, improvement of his product on the field seems minimal.
There's one thing this team could do that would solve a lot of this: They could hire Jim Harbaugh.
If the Raiders can somehow convince Harbaugh to come to Oakland, they should give him the keys to the car—general manager, head coach, water boy and any other position he can probably do better than anyone else.
Harbaugh is a winner. He won coaching the University of San Diego, Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers.
He will demand total control and will do anything it takes to win. That sounds a lot like Al Davis. But in this case, Harbaugh would know how to handle that power.
If the opportunity is there, you take it, Oakland. Otherwise, enjoy the black hole of NFL obscurity.
Washington Redskins (4-11): A Clean Slate
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Is it going to be Robert Griffin III or Jay Gruden?
The Redskins need to decide if they want to keep their outspoken head coach or the franchise quarterback they sacrificed so much to obtain.
Daniel Snyder may already have his answer. For the love of those who like watching pro football, we're all sick of media outlets talking about this! We want resolution!
Maybe the best answer is to get rid of both.
Think of it this way: Gruden was hired with Griffin entrenched as the starting quarterback. He must have told ownership that he'd help create a system around RG3 and his skill set. Otherwise, why would he be hired? So was he lying then when he so adamantly kicked Griffin to the curb and benched him?
Then there's Griffin, who hasn't done much of anything but get hurt and disappoint the past two seasons. Do the Redskins really want to invest any more time and effort into a quarterback who can't get it together?
It's time to wipe the slate clean here.
Chicago Bears (5-10): The Ghost of 25-Year-Old Brian Urlacher
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Lost in the benching of quarterback Jay Cutler is just how putrid the Chicago Bears defense has been. Yes, injuries mounted for this unit early, but there's no excuse for surrendering a league-high 28.6 points per game.
Surely a 25-year-old Urlacher is a totally logical option here.
Really, the Bears need a healthy squad littered with a few seasons of quality draft picks.
That might take awhile. Hey, at least they're guaranteed a ton of practice with Cutler's turnover machine at the helm.
St. Louis Rams (6-9): A Miracle Cure for Sam Bradford's Injury Bug
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St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford was having a career year in 2013 before suffering an ACL injury that ended his season.
Bradford, confident and poised for a bounce-back year, swiftly tore his repaired ACL a second time during a preseason game against the Browns this season.
Bradford hasn't exactly lit the world on fire with his play throughout his career and still struggles with blitzes, but it's easy to imagine what marginally good quarterback play would have done for the Rams this season, especially with the surge of the team's defense and pass rush of late.
The Rams need to find a decent quarterback or hope Bradford finds a way to stop getting injured so often. Shaun Hill certainly isn't the answer, and Austin Davis doesn't seem like he has a future as a starting quarterback.
Duct-tape that thing together and give it another go, Bradford. Hopefully, lightning won't strike a third time.
New Orleans Saints (6-9): No More Rob Ryan
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Rob Ryan is a decidedly mediocre defensive coordinator. Perhaps his best season at the position was in 2013 with the Saints, when his defense finished 10th overall in yards against.
This year, they dipped in a big way, currently ranking 29th in both passing and rushing yards against.
Those numbers are the norm. In his 10 years as defensive coordinator with various clubs heading into this season, Ryan's defenses averaged a below-average 19th overall in the league.
There are many problems with New Orleans this season, what with the defense accompanying an aging quarterback, injuries at the skill positions and youth in the wide receiver corps. However, canning Ryan would seem like the logical first step forward for this organization.
Minnesota Vikings (6-9): The Return of Adrian Peterson
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Despite surrendering 37 points in a loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16, the Minnesota Vikings seem to be a team on the rise on both offense and defense.
Teddy Bridgewater is having a solid season of learning and quietly producing, while the defense ranks a respectable 14th in points against per game at 22.3.
What this team lacks is the game-breaking ability of its franchise player. What it's missing is Adrian Peterson.
Despite any opinion one may have on Peterson's issues away from football, there's no denying this team would be in a lot better position with its bell cow back toting the rock.
Whether Peterson ever puts on a Vikings jersey again is unknown, but it'd certainly be a Christmas miracle if he managed to dawn the purple and gold again this season.
New York Giants (6-9): The Good Kind of Consistency
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The New York Giants have been a a very streaky team the past few seasons. The 2014 season spawned similar results, as the Giants had a seven-game losing streak and a two-game losing streak sandwiched with two three-game winning streaks.
A big reason for such up-and-down play is a rushing defense that ranks 30th in yards against.
The offense is most responsible for the team's recent surge, with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. accounting for three straight 100-yard games and six touchdowns in the club's recent three-game winning streak.
Improvement from the run defense and a full season with Beckham Jr. and the returning Victor Cruz opposite should bolster the team back into playoff contention.
Cleveland Browns (7-8): Manziel to Magically Disappear
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I don't think the Browns understand that the point of playing football is to win games.
It's a bit of a worry when the team takes out the quarterback responsible for seven wins...in Cleveland! The guy has seven wins, Cleveland! You should be building Brian Hoyer a statue right now!
Instead, Johnny Manziel ended all hope of Cleveland's first winning season in a bajillion years. Great job, everyone involved.
Manziel isn't good. He'll never be good. Please, Cleveland ownership, if you value your fans, don't do this anymore. Weren't Brandon Weeden and Brady Quinn and the countless other flops enough evidence of this?
Atlanta Falcons (6-9): A Big Win Against the Carolina Panthers This Sunday
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This is an easy one. If the Falcons win, they take the horrific NFC South and host a playoff game the following weekend.
The Falcons are riding high after a 30-14 victory over the Saints in Week 16. The win eliminated the Saints and set up this battle in the Georgia Dome for the NFC South title.
Carolina Panthers (6-8-1): A Big Win over the Atlanta Falcons
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Of course, the Carolina Panthers want the same thing in a matchup with the Falcons. The Falcons took the first meeting between the teams, edging the Panthers 19-17 in Week 11.
Either way, both teams would probably come to their demise the following week in the NFC Wild Card Game. Let them have their fun, though.
San Francisco 49ers (7-8): A Reconciliation with Their Head Coach
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Apparently, three straight NFC Championship Game appearances get outweighed by any personal disputes you have with your head coach.
Such is the situation in San Francisco, where the inevitable mistake of letting go of head coach Jim Harbaugh is about to come to fruition.
Maybe the team doesn't remember the years of struggle that preceded Harbaugh's regime? If they let him go, years of fruitless mediocrity seems to be the likely scenario.
A big hug and a handshake with their maligned head coach might be the best thing San Francisco receives this Christmas season.
Buffalo Bills (8-7): An Offense to Go with That Defense
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The Buffalo Bills need their lousy offense to match their Super Bowl-caliber defense.
This may be a difficult proposition with the likes of EJ Manuel and Kyle Orton as the team's best options under center.
The fact the team burned a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft in a trade to move up and get wide receiver Sammy Watkins in this year's draft doesn't help matters.
Watkins should be the building block. From there, the duo of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller makes for a decent enough running game. Injury concerns are a major issue with these two backs, especially with Spiller, who has been ready for years with talent to take on the full workload in the backfield.
Things get muddled from there.
The Bills could use some upgrades along the offensive line and some receiving weapons to go with Watkins and spark plug Chris Hogan.
Buffalo isn't too far off. Unfortunately, the big piece missing at quarterback will leave the team spinning its wheels.
Miami Dolphins (8-7): A Memo About Lamar Miller
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The Miami Dolphins average 4.5 yards a carry, ranking fifth in the NFL this season.
While Ryan Tannehill, by all measures of situational statistics and the eyeball test, has had a solid season, he's not Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. He doesn't have the arm or the capability to carry his team against a playoff contender.
It would make all the sense in the world then to lean on Lamar Miller and the running game just a tad more. It would chew up the time of possession, keep the other team off the field and open up the passing game for Tannehill even more.
Despite having 4.7 yards per carry and coming in 13th overall in rushing with 921 yards, Miller only averages 13.1 totes a game. That figure is just 23rd in the league.
Give Miller the ball, slow the game down and let the wins come with more consistency. Only 197 attempts for a 224-pound back is a joke.
Houston Texans (8-7): A Quarterback Solution
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The Band-Aid that is the Houston Texans quarterback situation has left more questions than answers this season. Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick went down with a leg injury late in the year, while Ryan Mallet joined him after two games behind center with a season-ending injury earlier in the year.
It didn't help much that in the same game Fitzpatrick went down (a 17-10 Week 15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts), third-string quarterback Tom Savage also suffered an injury.
Now the Texans are back where they were at the end of last season, with Case Keenum under center and no clear franchise signal-caller in the area code.
Very much like the Bills with their great defense and lacking offense, the Texans, at least, have Arian Foster running the football.
First-year NFL head coach Bill O'Brien is great developing quarterbacks. He'll need to work his magic with whomever the Texans ultimately decide on as signal-caller.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-7): A Quarterback Who Can Throw the Ball
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is great as a game-manager. A big fan of risk aversion, Smith has successfully piloted Kansas City to a 19-11 record as its starter while managing 41 touchdown passes to only 13 interceptions.
That's where the sunshine and fairy tales end.
The Chiefs were considered a bit overrated last season, finishing 11-5 with a soft schedule. This year, the squad has fallen to a more conducive record of 8-7.
While the defense has been pretty solid, it's the offense that has been often criticized for lack of a vertical passing game.
Everyone has heard the story already: The Chiefs haven't had a receiving touchdown from a wide receiver in more than a whole calendar year.
It's the chicken-egg debate.
Are Smith's targets at the wide receiver position lackluster? Or is his throwing arm and hesitation to let the ball go affecting their play?
Signs point to a little of both, as Dwayne Bowe is a below-average first receiver with not much else behind him, and Smith ranks a dull 22nd in yards per attempt at 7.00 this season.
Certainly there's much more concern with the offense besides Smith, so maybe he shouldn't represent the be-all, end-all.
There's the fact that superstar running back Jamaal Charles received just nine carries last game, a 20-12 Week 16 loss at Pittsburgh. Even if he's hobbled, there's Knile Davis, who has looked pretty good in relief these past two seasons. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has neglected Charles in the past, so this is nothing new. It still doesn't make it any less confusing.
Then there's an offensive line that surrendered six sacks to a lackluster Steelers pass rush this past Sunday.
Everything is building in on itself, but ultimately the quarterback position is the most important on the field. While Alex Smith is better than the Geno Smiths of the world, fans with visions of Super Bowl dreams dancing in their heads will have to temper expectations with this signal-caller under center.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6): The Re-Establishment of the Running Game
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The Philadelphia Eagles took a step back this season. One year removed from winning the NFC East, the team will be watching the playoffs this year from home.
One of the major reasons for the Eagles' regression (Mark Sanchez aside) is a running game that just wasn't as good as it was last year. The Eagles dropped from first in the league with 160.4 rushing yards a game last season to 121.9 yards this year.
Reasons for the decline are plentiful. One is the injuries the team suffered on the line, especially early in the season. Another could be the loss of DeSean Jackson, who took the top off opposing defenses and kept other teams honest. Then there's the aforementioned Sanchez, whom opponents may have less respect for than starter Nick Foles.
If the Eagles want to get back to the playoffs next year, finding their top-ranked running game would be the best Christmas gift they can get.
Baltimore Ravens (9-6): A Little Love from Missouri
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The fate of the Baltimore Ravens' playoff hopes are no longer in their hands. After a crushing 25-13 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 16, the team needs a win against the Browns and a loss from the San Diego Chargers to clinch a playoff berth.
It's a dangerous proposition to place your postseason hopes on the Kansas City Chiefs (who play the Chargers), as any Pittsburgh Steelers fan would have told you at the end of last season.
Good luck with that one, Baltimore.
San Diego Chargers (9-6): A Win
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The San Diego Chargers need a win to get into the dance.
From there, this team will be a dangerous out, having been through the grinder with tough matchups against New England, Denver, Baltimore, St. Louis and San Francisco to end the season.
Any playoff run will be with an ailing Philip Rivers, who is toughing it out with a bulging disc in his back.
The Chargers will battle the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17, a team they lost to 23-20 in Week 7.
Indianapolis Colts (10-5): Andrew Luck to Reach a New Level
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Andrew Luck has one postseason win in his first two seasons in the league. That was against Alex Smith.
In Season 3, Luck will need to mature into the big-game quarterback the Colts thought he would be after drafting him first overall in 2012.
He'll certainly get a challenge, with Super Bowl champions Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and possibly Joe Flacco all potential opponents out of the AFC.
In order to succeed, Luck will need to improve on the seven interceptions he tossed in last year's postseason. However, his 16 interceptions and 11 fumbles this year speak of a trend and not an aberration.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5): A Healthy James Harrison
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Maybe it's an indictment on Jarvis Jones; maybe it's not. The fact is that a 36-year-old James Harrison is making a huge impact on the Steelers defense.
Such was the case in the club's breakout defensive performance in their 20-12 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. Harrison, after missing the previous two games with a knee issue, compiled 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.
What may have been Harrison's biggest impact was his freeing up fellow outside linebacker Jason Worilds to score two sacks of his own.
The Steelers had a season-high six sacks during the game and stuffed star running back Jamaal Charles to 29 yards on nine carries.
This certainly isn't new for Harrison this season, as his two-sack performance in a 43-23 Week 9 win over the Baltimore Ravens flashed back to the days where Harrison was a consistent defensive MVP candidate.
Keep it healthy, James.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-4-1): A Big Change
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Andy Dalton isn't a prime-time quarterback. The team will never win with Dalton or head coach Marvin Lewis.
This one might be a bit crazy, considering the record the Bengals have this season, but it's not without merit.
Dalton is 0-3 in his career in the playoffs and has been awful, throwing six interceptions while scoring just one touchdown.
Marvin Lewis hasn't exactly shined either. In his 11 years coaching the team heading into this season, Lewis has failed to win a playoff game, reaching the postseason just five times and failing every time.
Many will point to the recent 37-28 drubbing of the Denver Broncos in prime time in Week 16 as evidence this year's team is different. The fact is, the Broncos practically had nothing to play for, and frankly, the team hasn't been playing too well recently as it is.
Starting with a loss to the Steelers this week, the Bengals will get bounced by the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wild Card Game.
It's not really that bold of a statement.
The Bengals need to move away from Lewis and Dalton or risk repeating failure.
Arizona Cardinals (11-4): Kurt Warner
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Seriously. Kurt Warner.
Even at 10 percent of his capabilities, he'd still be better than anything the Cardinals have been throwing out there.
No, Warner's not going to join the team.
In reality, any first-round opponent is going to be brutal for the Cardinals. Even an NFC South team would probably be a favorite. Yikes.
Detroit Lions (11-4): Calvin Johnson to Transform into Megatron
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Calvin Johnson has been more Calvin Johnson than his awesomely awesome nickname Megatron this season.
It's a situation nobody really talks about, but Johnson appears to be slowing down with injuries the past few seasons. He's missed five games in two years and has been hobbled in others with various ailments.
Johnson has had three 100-yard receiving games in the past four weeks but has been generally underwhelming by his lofty standards this year.
That will need to change for the Lions as they make their first postseason run since 2011.
Detroit has the defense and developing running game to get far, but it needs arguably the best wide receiver in the league to transform into the best player on the field come playoff time.
It'd certainly help if the Lions captured the NFC North title and a first-round bye this week against the Green Bay Packers.
Denver Broncos (11-4): Shock Therapy to Peyton Manning's Arm
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The wounded ducks sailing from Peyton Manning's arm the past month are a distress signal that the Broncos' short window is closing.
The development of C.J. Anderson and a running game is a welcome and wise move for Denver, but the team will need a balanced attack to reach the Super Bowl again. While intuition, field study and anticipation are on Manning's side, a weak arm can undo all of it.
Manning will need his arm to survive another month in what figures to be bitterly cold climates in Denver and possibly New England or be doomed to another disappointing playoff result.
Dallas Cowboys (11-4): Health of a Hand
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The Dallas Cowboys need DeMarco Murray on the field as often as possible. That only happens if his ailing left hand continues to heal.
With the league's leading rusher healthy and a great season by quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys will be a tough out this playoff season in an even tougher NFC.
Green Bay Packers (11-4): Home-Field Advantage
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Lambeau Field is one of the toughest places to visit in the league. The Packers will have a chance for a first-round bye and a guaranteed home game with a big win this week against the Detroit Lions.
Get this: Aaron Rodgers has 34 interceptions to zero picks at Lambeau in 396 consecutive passing attempts, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
The Packers are unbeaten at home this year, too, having taken down the powerhouse New England Patriots in the process.
This week's NFC North decider could ultimately determine what team comes out of the NFC this year. The game's at Lambeau, too. The Packers have to like those odds.
Seattle Seahawks (11-4): A Win to Clinch Home-Field Advantage Throughout
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Do the Seahawks really need anything?
There hasn't been a better team in the league over the past month, as Seattle is looking primed to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
Things can get a tad easier for the Seahawks with a Week 17 win over the visiting Rams. Not only would that clinch a first-round bye, but it would give the team the first seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Seattle is 6-1 at home this season, with its only loss being a 30-23 decision against Dallas in Week 6. But this Seahawks team is a whole other monster in its current five-game winning streak, allowing just 33 points over that span.
New England Patriots (12-3): Return to Health for Offensive Starters
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It's easy to imagine this gift will be given to the Patriots for Christmas. After all, the team will have nearly three weeks before it plays another meaningful game.
The New England offense struggled against the Jets in a 17-16 Week 16 win without the services of receiver Julian Edelman and running back LeGarrette Blount. Tom Brady passed for just 182 yards in the victory, amassing one touchdown to go with one interception. Edelman is the driving force behind the Patriots wide receivers, leading the unit with 972 yards.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski leads the team with 1,124 receiving yards but accumulated just 31 yards last week without Edelman to drive away coverages. The Patriots rushed for just 85 yards in the game.
Rest seems like the best thing for New England, and they'll get it.
All statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.
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