Who's Hot, Who's Not Heading into NFL's Stretch Run
For all but the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals, there are four games remaining in the NFL’s regular-season.
And considering only the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers have secured playoff berths at the moment, there’s obviously still a lot to be resolved over these next four weeks.
So here is a look at some players, teams and units (in no particular order) that are either catching fire at the right time or have picked a bad time to stop sniffing victory.
Of course, we are well aware of the current losing streaks of the Cleveland Browns (seven straight) and St. Louis Rams (five straight), but since neither team will finish the season with a winning record, we will bypass them for now. Here, we will concentrate on the clubs and performers with realistic playoff chances.
And it’s always worth mentioning that at any time all of these examples can flip the switch…for better or worse.
Who’s Hot: Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
1 of 14
You wouldn’t be going out on a limb by saying the Seattle Seahawks are coming off their most impressive outing of the season.
A 38-7 conquest of the Vikings in Minnesota saw Pete Carroll’s club dominate on both sides of the football. The defense kept Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings offensive unit out of the end zone.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has thrown 11 touchdown passes without an interception in his last three games, all Seattle wins. During the team’s 4-5 start, the fourth-year signal-caller threw for 10 scores but was also picked off seven times. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports does an excellent job of breaking down Wilson’s recent play.
Last week we saw the Seattle defense of recent seasons. But those moments have been a little too few and far between. Hence, Wilson and the Seahawks offense may have to carry the load for the defending NFC champions.
Who’s Not: Indianapolis Colts Defense
2 of 14
It’s a unit that never seems to get any better. That’s the bottom line when it comes to the defense of the Indianapolis Colts. And "bottom" seems to be the key word.
Only two teams in the league have allowed more total yards per game than Chuck Pagano’s club, which also ranks 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per contest. The team has given up 24 touchdown passes this season but a dozen in the last five games. This unit looked helpless last Sunday night in the 45-10 loss at Pittsburgh, as it allowed a whopping 522 total yards.
The Colts have nine sacks over that five-game span, but five of those sacks came in the Week 12 win over the Buccaneers. The Colts have given up 300-plus total yards in every one of their games this season while allowing 20-plus points in 10 of their 12 outings.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any relief in sight for a unit that has been less than fearsome.
Who’s Hot: Denver Broncos Running Game
3 of 14
Entering the 2015 season, it was the offensive line and not the play of quarterback Peyton Manning that was the biggest concern for the Denver Broncos.
Well, Manning is no longer an issue for now, as the struggling and hobbling signal-caller remains on the sidelines nursing his injured plantar fascia.
In its first nine games this season, Denver ran for 100 or more yards just three times. But in the team’s last three outings (all wins), the ground attack has rolled up 130-plus yards in each contest, totaling 30 or more attempts in each game.
While young quarterback Brock Osweiler deserves his share of credit and enables head coach Gary Kubiak to run his system, the combination of running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman has also delivered. Both have one 100-yard rushing performance in the team’s last three games.
If the Broncos are able to control the football while keeping that talented defense fresh and off the field, this is going to be an awfully tough team to beat.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Who’s Not: New England Patriots Passing Game
4 of 14
We are not here to assign blame on anyone in particular. Even the greatest of quarterbacks would struggle to function without his regular receivers while playing behind an up-and-down offensive front.
In Sunday’s 35-28 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns but was also picked off twice—Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins returned one of those thefts 99 yards for a score.
Incredibly, it marked the third consecutive game that Brady completed less than 55 percent of his passes. Versus Philadelphia, he hit on 29 of his 56 throws. That means there were 27 incompletions.
A closer look at the numbers shows that the resourceful quarterback is a combined 72-of-137 in those games, good for 869 yards and seven touchdowns while being intercepted three times.
Let’s keep in mind that we have seen running back Dion Lewis, wide receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola and tight end Rob Gronkowski go down with injuries. Lewis and Edelman are still out, and while Gronkowski practiced Thursday with a knee brace, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, his availability for Sunday night’s game with the Houston Texans remains in doubt.
When asked about Gronkowski, Brady told Reiss: "He's a great player. I always wish we'd have everyone, whether it's Jules (Julian Edelman) or Gronk. Different guys are dealing with different things. It’s part of football season. You still have to be mentally tough to overcome whatever adversity you face and try to win a game. It may take on a little different form."
Right now, the Patriots passing game is far from being in midseason form. And it will be interesting to see how or when this unit can get back on track.
Who’s Hot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin
5 of 14
As much as rookie quarterback Jameis Winston has meant to his team as of late, you would be foolish to ignore what revitalized running back Doug Martin has done for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well.
The league’s second-leading rusher with 1,133 yards has totaled 66 carries for 427 yards and a score in the last three games. Granted, 27 of those attempts and 235 of those yards came in the team’s recent demolition of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he’s also run for 90-plus yards in each of the club’s last two outings.
Martin’s two biggest games in terms of rushing attempts have come in the last three weeks. Lovie Smith’s squad has won three of its last four contests following a 3-5 start. And Winston’s improving play can also be attributed to having a reliable option out of the backfield.
A strong stretch run by Martin could result in a not-so-quiet pursuit at a postseason berth for the improving Buccaneers.
Who’s Not: Oakland Raiders Defense
6 of 14
If you look at some particular numbers, you may be surprised. But give the Oakland Raiders defensive unit the eye test and the man with the eye patch on the side of the team’s helmet may want to close the other eye.
In 12 games this season, Oakland has already totaled 29 sacks and a respectable 18 takeaways. Those are positive statistics for a team that dropped opposing quarterbacks only 22 times and forced 14 turnovers in 16 contests a year ago.
All told, the Raiders are 1-4 in their last five games and have allowed 30 points in three of those contests. In fact, only five teams in the league have given up more points this season.
The addition of new head coach Jack Del Rio and coordinator Ken Norton Jr. was supposed to mean big things for the defense. Instead, the Raiders rank 25th in the NFL in total yards allowed and 28th against the pass. They have allowed 30 offensive touchdowns in 12 games.
Yes, the Oakland offense has been a bit up-and-down as of late. But if the team was hoping to be bailed out on occasion by the defensive unit, think again.
Who’s Hot: Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receivers
7 of 14
The Pittsburgh Steelers have scored at least 30 points and have totaled at least 450 yards of total offense in four consecutive games. That’s led to three wins in four contests, and at 7-5 the club is firmly entrenched in the playoff race.
Just look at the numbers being put up by the team’s top wide receivers over that span. Seemingly, if you manage to stop one, you have to take your chances with the other two.
Antonio Brown is arguably the best player at his position in the league and over the last four games alone has totaled 41 receptions for 592 yards and four scores. He has reached the 100-plus yard receiving mark three times—with 284 yards versus the Oakland Raiders in Week 9.
While Seattle stifled Brown, Markus Wheaton responded with nine catches for 201 yards and one touchdown and also scored last week against the Colts. Second-year pro Martavis Bryant has scored three times in the last four games, topping the 100-yard twice while totaling 18 catches for 392 yards.
That’s a lot of options for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. And given the up-and-down nature of the Pittsburgh defense, the team will need all the help it can get from its explosive passing attack.
Who’s Not: New York Giants
8 of 14
At 5-4, the New York Giants were by themselves in first place in the less-than-impressive NFC East.
Apparently, the team was feeling a little lonely.
With four weeks to play, there’s a baby logjam atop the division with Big Blue, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles all sitting at 5-7 and the Dallas Cowboys one game behind at 4-8.
This week, all four clubs play games outside of the division, with Eli Manning and Co. traveling to South Florida to face the Miami Dolphins Monday. The Giants will attempt to put the brakes on a frustrating three-game losing streak, including home setbacks to the New England Patriots and New York Jets.
Be it the lack of a running game, the absence of a consistent pass rush or the inability to close out games in the fourth quarter, it’s already been a long year for head coach Tom Coughlin.
Of course, despite being two games under .500, Coughlin and the Giants are hoping the season lasts a little longer.
Who’s Hot: New York Jets WR Brandon Marshall
9 of 14
Some questioned the New York Jets’ decision to trade for wide receiver Brandon Marshall this offseason.
To say the deal worked out would be an understatement.
The well-traveled wideout leads his team with 83 receptions for 1,032 yards and 10 scores. Marshall has totaled 100-plus receiving yards in seven of his 12 outings this season—three more than the Jets managed collectively in 2014. Eric Decker is the only other player to reach the century mark in receiving yards this season for Todd Bowles’ squad.
Marshall has totaled at least one touchdown in five consecutive games, totaling six over that span. In his last two outings, he’s caught 21 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns, amassing exactly 131 yards receiving in each of those contests.
It will be interesting to see if any of New York’s final four opponents can keep Marshall under wraps.
Who’s Not: Atlanta Falcons
10 of 14
Every once in a while we get fooled by a team. For the Atlanta Falcons, there’s no more kidding around.
Five weeks into the season, Dan Quinn had led the club to a 5-0 start (after a 6-10 season last year) before disaster struck and continues to strike. Atlanta has dropped six of its last seven games and is riding a five-game losing streak. And this team has yet to face the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers this season.
With four weeks to go, the Falcons will not only fail to win the NFC South (already secured by the 12-0 Carolina Panthers) but are in danger of falling out of the wild-card picture as well. Quinn’s team has already lost to the Minnesota Vikings and is one game behind the Seattle Seahawks in the overall standings.
Be it the ineffectiveness of struggling quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense or the defense’s lack of a pass rush (13 sacks in 12 games), things have come apart quickly for a squad that was the talk of the league five weeks into the season.
Now, many are having a different kind of discussion about this slumping team that can’t seem to get out of its own way these days.
Who’s Hot: Kansas City Chiefs
11 of 14
Once upon a time in a season that always seems to operate at light speed, the Kansas City Chiefs were riding a five-game losing streak and owned a 1-5 record.
That early slump seems like light-years away. Andy Reid’s surging club is arguably playing as well as any team in the league at the moment on both sides of the football.
Even with injuries in the backfield, including the absence of Pro Bowler Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs have managed to mount a consistent ground attack with Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware. Quarterback Alex Smith continues to be efficient, and the addition of free-agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin this offseason, who leads the team with five scoring receptions, has paid dividends.
In its last eight games, Kansas City has allowed a combined 115 points and just 13 offensive touchdowns. That’s quite a turnaround for a club that surrendered 125 points and 15 offensive touchdowns in the first four games of the season.
And it’s been quite a reversal of fortune for a team that is in search of its first playoff win in more than two decades.
Who’s Not: Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams
12 of 14
Perhaps it’s not all his fault considering he missed three games in the middle of the season with an ankle issue.
But it’s also been a disappointing year for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams when it comes to his hands.
The 2014 second-round pick from Fresno State has been targeted a combined 56 times in his last six games and has managed only 27 catches for 251 yards (9.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown—that score came in last week’s thrilling win over the Detroit Lions.
Once again, the injury has been a factor, but it has nevertheless been a rough year for Adams, especially considering he performed so well in the playoffs a season ago.
Then again, perhaps last week’s touchdown may prove to be the catalyst for a strong stretch run. In any case, the up-and-down Green Bay offense could use all the help it can get.
Who’s Hot: Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton
13 of 14
Entering his fifth season in the National Football League, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had never thrown at least five touchdown passes in a game.
Now, the leader of the NFL’s lone undefeated team in 2015 has turned the trick twice in the last three weeks.
The bottom line is that the Panthers continue to win. But it has been interesting to see the increase in production from Newton in terms of his passing numbers over the course of the season.
In his first six games of 2015, the five-year pro threw nine touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions, totaling fewer than 200 yards passing in four of those contests.
But in his last six games, Newton has thrown for 16 scores while being picked off only three times. In Sunday’s 41-38 win at New Orleans, the talented quarterback totaled season highs in attempts (41), completions (28) and passing yards (331) in the come-from-behind victory.
As Newton gets more and more acclimated with receivers such as rookie Devin Funchess, you would think opposing defensive coordinators have to be getting a little nervous.
Who’s Not: Minnesota Vikings Offense
14 of 14
The Minnesota Vikings entered the Thursday night clash with the Arizona Cardinals having lost two of their last three games while giving up at least 30 points in each of those setbacks.
Make that losers of three of the last four contests. In Thursday night’s heartbreaking 23-20 road loss to the Cardinals, the Minnesota offense rolled up its share of yards but didn’t make the most of its opportunities and also had issues when it came to ball security.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw for 335 yards and a score, and his team totaled 389 yards of offense. But the young signal-caller was sacked three times, and he was guilty of one of the club’s three lost fumbles.
The Vikings have now gone 10 straight games of scoring two or fewer offensive touchdowns. During Minnesota’s current 1-3 stretch, Mike Zimmer’s squad has totaled just 60 points—a mere 15 points per game.
No one is saying this still isn’t a playoff team, but the Vikings offense needs to increase its production sooner than later.
Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")