NFL's Biggest Risers and Fallers from 2015 Season so Far

We enter Monday night's tilt between the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints with 33 regular-season games remaining in the NFL’s 2015 season.

In the cases of many players, teams and even units, we have seen some amazing reversals of fortunes both in good and bad ways in comparison with a year ago.

The numbers are incredibly intriguing. The reasons for some of these turnarounds, both positive and negative, are in part due to injuries, and we will be careful to point that out should it apply.

If you like numbers and statistics—and we know you do—take a look at some of these interesting instances where we have seen both dramatic improvements and drastic falloffs all around the league.

Rise: New York Jets Pass Defense

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

Last season was pretty forgettable for the New York Jets in so many ways.

While the quarterback position always seems to take the most hits, the team’s situation at cornerback was just as disturbing. In 2014, this club allowed 31 touchdown passes and totaled a mere six interceptions. All told, the Jets totaled an NFL-low 13 takeaways.

In this past Saturday night’s 19-16 win in Dallas, New York picked off the Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks four times. That gave Jets head coach Todd Bowles’ team an impressive 28 takeaways in 14 games in 2015. Meanwhile, Jets defenders have also surrendered only 17 touchdown passes in as many contests.

The offseason additions of Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Marcus Gilchrist have paid off handsomely—to say the least.

Fall: Buffalo Bills Pass Rush

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

It is somewhat inexplicable.

No, we are not talking about the fact that the Buffalo Bills won’t be going to the playoffs for a 16th consecutive season.

What in the name of Carmen Sandiego happened to the team’s pass rush? A unit that racked up 57 sacks in 2013 and a club that led the NFL with 54 sacks a year ago have tackled opposing quarterbacks only 20 times in 14 games this season?

“You saw the game, and you’re trying to switch personnel as they’re coming out of the huddle,” said Mario Williams to Mike Rodak of ESPN after Sunday’s 35-25 loss at Washington. “I don’t know who in the world is calling, saying what personnel they’re in or whatever or how (that is) confusing. But apparently it is.”

“My mindset is, if you’re an attack defense, you don’t let anything else dictate what you do,” added Williams.

It has been an odd year for a group that figured to be much more dynamic with new head coach Rex Ryan at the controls.

Rise: Arizona Cardinals Offense

Michael Perez/Associated Press

While not all of the Arizona Cardinals' 440 points and 52 total touchdowns have come via the offense. The vast majority of those numbers have come from a unit guided by a healthy Carson Palmer. That’s already one big difference for this team from a year ago when the veteran signal-caller was limited to six contests.

In 2014, the Cardinals scored only 310 points and their offensive unit totaled a mere 27 touchdowns. This season, Palmer and the offense have reached the end zone 47 times.

And talk about another impressive turnaround. Last season, only the Oakland Raiders totaled fewer rushing yards in the league. The Cards ran for a mere 1,308 yards, a disappointing 81.8 yards per contest. In 14 games this season, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians’ attack has already amassed 1,769 yards on the ground, an impressive 126.4 yards per outing.

In Sunday night’s 40-17 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona rolled up 230 yards rushing in 39 carries. Rookie running back David Johnson accounted for 29 attempts for 187 yards and three scores. The most impressive was his 47-yard touchdown run.

“It was a stretch (play),” said Johnson to Kent Somers of AZCentral Sports, “and I saw guys overflowing. I cut it back, read my holes, my blocks, broke a couple tackles, got a couple stiff arms and got into the end zone.”

And it would be no stretch to see this team represent the NFC in Super Bowl 50.

Fall: Houston Texans Defense

AJ Mast/Associated Press

We are not attempting to be killjoys here.

On Sunday, the Houston Texans did something that this franchise born in 2002 had never managed to do in its very brief history.

The team’s 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts was the first by the Texans on the road in this series…ever. Houston had certainly had a problem winning at Indianapolis, dropping 13 consecutive tilts in the Colts’ buildings.

Still, for any number of reasons, it’s been a disappointing year for the Texans defense, which has simply been up and down in 2015.

A year ago, the team finished 9-7, and a big reason was the play of a club that led the NFL with 34 takeaways. That number represented a franchise record as well. But in 14 contests in 2015 the Texans have forced only 17 turnovers.

Yes, this is a first-place Houston team with a 7-7 record. But the falloff in terms of takeaways is certainly noteworthy.

Rise: Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Sunday’s 23-17 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons had to be a bitter pill for quarterback Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It should not take away from the fact that the second-year signal-caller has dramatically upped his game, following a trying rookie campaign.

This season, the third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft has thrown more than twice as many touchdown passes (31) than interceptions (14). In the same amount of games (14) one year ago, Bortles threw for 11 scores while being picked off 17 times.

We have seen plenty of promise from the Jacksonville offense this season. A team that finished dead last in the NFL in scoring in both 2013 (249) and 2014 (247) has already racked up 343 points this year.

Fall: San Francisco 49ers Defense

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

A year ago, it would prove to be a trying and disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers. After three straight trips to the NFC title game, including an appearance in Super Bowl 47, the club fell to 8-8 and out of the playoffs.

Despite last season’s struggles, the Niners ranked fifth in the NFL in total defense. They were ranked seventh in terms of fewest rushing yards and fifth in passing yards allowed.

In Sunday’s 24-14 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the 49ers did limit their opponents. Making his first NFL start, quarterback AJ McCarron was limited to 242 total yards, including only 68 rushing yards. But the bigger picture here is that after Sunday’s action, only five teams in the league have allowed not only more total yards—but rushing yards per game this season. 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula’s squad ranks 26th in the NFL in pass defense as well.

Rise: Carolina Panthers

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Last season, the Carolina Panthers won their final four regular-season games to finish 7-8-1 on the way to capturing the NFC South Championship for a second straight year.

In 2015, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera’s squad has yet to lose and has already doubled its victory total from a season ago. The 14-0 Panthers are two wins away from becoming only the second team in NFL history (2007 Patriots) to finish with a 16-0 regular-season mark.

If the team does manage the feat, it would have won nine more games than the previous season. That would be tied for third in league annals when it comes to positive turnarounds. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts (3-13 in 1998) finished 13-3, and the 2008 Miami Dolphins (1-15 in 2007) won 11 games and the AFC East that year.

Of course, these Panthers are only interested in finishing first this season in the most important category of them all.

Fall: Dallas Cowboys Defense

Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press

Perhaps it is a Texas thing.

Earlier in this piece, we pointed out that the Houston Texans led the league in 2014 with 34 takeaways and in 14 games this season have forced only 17 turnovers.

Guess which team finished second in the NFL with 31 takeaways one season ago? That would be the Cowboys, who managed to pick off New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick once on Saturday night. But that gave Jason Garrett’s team a disappointing nine takeaways in 14 contests.

It is but one of many reasons that the reigning NFC East champions won’t be defending that title in the playoffs in January.

Rise: Cincinnati Bengals Pass Rush

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Despite the fact that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert managed to throw for 295 yards and a score on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals doesn’t mean that Paul Guenther’s defensive unit didn’t punish the young signal-caller

Gabbert was sacked four times by game’s end, twice by defensive tackle Geno Atkins. On season ago with him still trying to bounce back following knee surgery the previous year, the Bengals ranked dead last in the league with 20 sacks. With two games this play in 2015, Cincinnati defenders have already racked up 38 sacks this season.

On Sunday, the Bengals also wrapped up a playoff berth for the fifth straight year.

Fall: Detroit Lions

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

If the Detroit Lions fall to the New Orleans Saints on Monday night at the Superdome, they will have doubled their loss total of a season ago in just 13 games.

It has been an incredibly disappointing season for Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and company, something this team should not have been in a position to get used to in 2015.

The reasons are many. The Lions have already turned over the football 23 times this season, three more times than all of 2014. One year after giving up the third-fewest points in the league (282), Detroit has already surrendered 336 points with three contests to play.

From free-agent defections to disappointing play, it takes a lot of issues to fall from grace this quickly.

Rise: Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when then-rookie running back Doug Martin was racking up almost 2,000 yards from scrimmage with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012?

We have seen a return to form this season from the four-year pro, who saw his second and third NFL campaigns disrupted by injuries. In a total of 17 contests over those two seasons, Martin ran for a total of 950 yards and three touchdowns.

In 14 games this year, the former Boise State Football star ranks second in the NFL with 1,305 yards rushing, trailing only Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson (1,314). He has also run for five scores and is one reason the 6-8 Bucs have tripled their win total from a year ago.

Fall: Indianapolis Colts

AJ Mast/Associated Press

In each of the past three seasons, the Indianapolis Colts finished with an 11-5 record, clinched a playoff berth and proceeded to advance in the postseason. From the 2012 Wild Card round to the 2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs to the 2014 conference title game.

With two weeks remaining, the Colts are going to need some help when it comes to even reaching the playoffs. A three-game losing streak has the team at 6-8 and one game behind the Houston Texans in the AFC South.

There are any number of ways to show how much this club has fallen off from a year ago. The Colts have already lost three more games, and that includes back-to-back setbacks within the division. Entering last Sunday’s contest against the Jaguars, Indianapolis had won 16 straight games vs. their AFC South rivals.

A year ago, the Colts finished 11th in the NFL in total defense and were ranked 18th in the league against the run. This season, only four teams in the league have allowed more total yards per game than Indianapolis, which also ranks 25th in the NFL against the run at the moment.

And for those who think this is all about the absence of quarterback Andrew Luck, think again. No matter who’s been at the controls, this is a team that struggles to hold onto the football. Last season, the Colts coughed up the ball 31 times in 16 games. This season, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano’s squad has committed 29 turnovers in 14 contests.

Rise: Kansas City Chiefs Defense

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs also got off to a sluggish start but rebounded from an 0-2 start to finish 9-7, just missing a playoff berth.

This season, head coach Andy Reid’s team opened with a win then dropped five straight games. Now it is one of the hottest teams in the league courtesy of eight straight victories.

Last season, thanks mainly to quarterback Alex Smith, the Chiefs were careful with the football, committing a mere 17 turnovers. But this club finished minus-three in turnover differential as Reid’s team managed to total only 14 takeaways.

That hasn’t been the case this season as evidenced by Sunday’s 34-14 win at Baltimore. Kansas City defenders returned a pair of Ravens miscues (by safety Tyvon Branch and rookie cornerback Marcus Peters) for scores. The Chiefs have already totaled 27 takeaways this season and returned six of those miscues for touchdowns.

That will help a team win a bunch of games in a hurry.

Fall: Philadelphia Eagles RB DeMarco Murray

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

That’s him. That’s the guy, and he’s wearing No. 29.

A year ago, running back DeMarco Murray was a member of the Dallas Cowboys and would be named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 1,845 yards rushing on 392 carries.

This offseason, the Cowboys had to make a decision on who to give the franchise tag to: Murray or wide receiver Dez Bryant, who led the league with 16 touchdown receptions.

Dallas opted for Bryant, allowing Murray to test the free-agent market. And things went from bad to worse for the Cowboys when the workhorse runner opted to sign with the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Call it a bad match between player and coach, a performer that doesn’t match the system, etc. Take your pick. It’s kind of strange to watch Murray limited to reserve duty. In Sunday’s 40-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Eagles managed just 74 yards rushing on 20 carries. Murray totaled two attempts for three yards.

For the season, the 2014 All-Pro running back has run for just 606 yards on 176 carries.

Rise: New York Jets Wide Receivers

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Yes, the New York Jets are back on the docket here, and this time it is in regards to the offensive side of the ball—more specifically the passing attack and the play of Brandon Marshall.

This season, Marshall has helped this club elevate its performance in this area. The well-traveled wide receiver has totaled 100-plus receiving yards in eight out of 14 games in 2015. Last season, the Jets as a team had a total of four 100-yard receiving performances.

This year, thanks to Marshall, wideout Eric Decker and mainly quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets have totaled 28 receiving touchdowns, 12 more than a year ago. Last season, wide receivers accounted for only eight of the team’s 16 scoring receptions. With two games to go, Marshall (11), Decker (10) and the New York wide receivers have racked up 25 touchdown receptions.

It is little wonder that this club has already totaled one dozen more offensive touchdowns (39) than they did in 2014 (27).

Fall: Baltimore Ravens

Nick Wass/Associated Press

You have been a little bit spoiled if you’re a Baltimore Ravens fan, especially if you jumped on the bandwagon in 2008 with the arrivals of head coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco.

In the first seven years of this era, the Ravens have reached the playoffs six times and have never finished below the .500 mark. With the team’s 34-14 home loss on Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs, those streaks will both be coming to an end.

Of course, the current active roster does not include Flacco, running back Justin Forsett, wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. or outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Picked by some to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 50, the Ravens now find themselves in contention for the No. 1 pick in 2016 rather than a second NFL title in four seasons.

Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com.