20 NFL Fanbases That Need to Shut Up and Stop Complaining

Every NFL team has a fanbase that complains about one thing or another when it comes to its favorite team.

That includes the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

There are 20 groups of fans that are particularly grouchy this time of year for one reason or another.

With the NFL playoff picture taking shape, teams that are outside looking in are resolved to dwell on what could have been for the 2011 NFL season.

However, I urge all football fans to look at the bright side as the holiday season approaches. Think of the eggnog as half full, if you will.

Or not.

Regardless, here is what each of these 20 NFL teams' fans need to stop complaining about. 

Arizona Cardinals

It certainly isn't unreasonable to expect more out of Kevin Kolb in his first season as the Arizona Cardinals signal-caller. 

After all, Arizona did send Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round pick in the NFL draft for Kolb.

Kolb has been terrible this year, throwing for less than 2,000 yards with eight interceptions in nine starts.

However, Kolb has suffered numerous injuries this year in a new offense and is sure to improve next year. The NFC West will be winnable, as a 49ers team led by Alex Smith is no guarantee to pull away year after year.

Plus, your team is coming off wins against the said 49ers and rival Cowboys. Things are looking up for Arizona. 

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta fans may see a last-second wild-card berth as a disappointment following a 13-3 season accompanied by a No. 1 seed in the NFL playoffs.

However, this team seems better suited in the underdog role.

Matt Ryan was perennially underrated as a college player at Boston College. Michael Turner started his career playing second fiddle to LaDainian Tomlinson. Roddy White was underrated coming from UAB. Tony Gonzalez continues to defy age with his stellar play.

In other words, there are great things going on in Atlanta. With dynamic weapons like Julio Jones, the Falcons could reverse last year's playoff exit with a surprise run. 

Baltimore Ravens

Inevitably, as the NFL postseason begins, NFL analysts will bring up the domination the Pittsburgh Steelers enjoy over the Baltimore Ravens at crunch time.

Regardless of the fact that Baltimore is 2-0 versus its AFC North rivals this year, the Steelers will get the respect.

Avoid complaining, Ravens fans, as you will get your shot once again to prove the doubters wrong when the two teams likely meet in the playoffs.

 

Buffalo Bills

As the brutal Buffalo winter hit its stride, so did the cold play of the Buffalo Bills.

After starting the season 5-2, including a win over the New England Patriots, the Bills were riding high.

Unfortunately, Buffalo has yet to win since en route to losing six straight contests. Naturally, such a second-half collapse would draw ire from a loyal fanbase such as Buffalo's.

But, take baby steps, Bills fans. You have a nice core in Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson.

Losing out only gets you a better draft pick and better positions your team for a longer stint atop the AFC East in 2012. 

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears fans are quick to point out injuries as the sole reason for their team missing out on a playoff appearance this year.

Understandable, considering the key losses of Matt Forte and Jay Cutler.

It cannot be denied, however, that the Bears were in prime position to beat the Denver Broncos and move to 8-5 on the year without those two players. Unfortunately, Marion Barber decided to run out of bounds.

Thus, I urge you Bears fans to stop using injuries as an excuse. Instead, point your ire toward healthy players who are abandoning fundamentals at the expense of your beloved team. 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have a tremendously bright future in the hands of quarterback Andy Dalton and his favorite target, A.J. Green.

Bengals fans, however, please do not whine about not getting respect when you haven't beaten but one decent team.

Especially when you blow a double-digit lead to a team quarterbacked by T.J. Yates. 

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys fans are delirious for blaming Tony Romo for the team's incessant mediocrity in recent years.

Romo is playing at an elite level in 2011, completing 65 percent of his passes with 26 touchdowns. This is despite various ailments to Miles Austin and Dez Bryant throughout the year.

Frustrations should actually be pointed at defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and his No. 24-ranked pass defense.

Choking away leads this year has been unfairly blamed on Romo. Romo should get nothing but credit for putting his team in position to hold a lead.

It's then up to the defense to do its job, and this season it has left much to be desired for Dallas fans. 

Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos fans truly have nothing to complain about.

Tim Tebow has single-handedly brought the Broncos from the depths of AFC West mediocrity to a probable division crown.

Well, maybe the offensive line, Willis McGahee and the defense had something to do with it as well.

I do implore Denver fans to cut John Elway some slack. He is simply letting the situation play out by not committing to Tebow for the franchise's future.

Other horrible quarterbacks such as Vince Young have excelled in the win column for certain stretches. Elway is just doing his due diligence.  

Detroit Lions

Lions fans should not be distraught over Ndamukong Suh's suspension for stomping on Green Bay Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Nor should Lions fans want Suh to significantly adjust his playing style. Doing so may limit the previous dominance Suh has enjoyed as an interior defensive lineman.

Instead, Detroit fans should rejoice because their team is relevant once again and is loaded with young talent that will compete for championships in years to come. 

Green Bay Packers

Believe it or not, Green Bay fans have to be slightly nervous about the injury sustained by star receiver Greg Jennings.

It must put doubt in their minds as to whether or not the Packers should go for the undefeated season.

The Packers should undoubtedly pursue perfection at the risk of injury. While a Super Bowl is prestigious, perfection is legendary.  

Indianapolis Colts

An increasingly likely 0-16 season would seemingly bring doom and gloom to an otherwise prestigious Colts franchise.

That will not be the case, however.

Indianapolis will go from having zero healthy quarterbacks to having two of the best in the NFL when it drafts Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Prosperity will be restored to a heralded franchise and any dismay over a pathetic 2011 will be soon forgotten. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Frustration is often heard from Jacksonville Jaguars fans over the play of rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Not everyone can play at Cam Newton's level.

Fans in Jacksonville need to give this young player a year or two to develop before passing overarching judgement.

Actually, just show up to the games before making your opinions heard. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Now that head coach Todd Haley has been fired, Chiefs fans can quiet down their concerns and look forward to a new regime.

Injuries certainly played a role in the struggles this season for Kansas City. The Chiefs lost their best offensive player in Jamaal Charles, and best defensive player in Eric Berry to season-ending injuries.

The next coach will have to step in and decide if Matt Cassel is the permanent answer at quarterback.  

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins showed improvement in Tony Sparano's final few games as head coach.

The Dolphins won four out of six before firing Sparano after the loss to Philadelphia.

Like Chiefs fans, Dolphins supporters can take solace in the fact that a new era is beginning in South Florida.

Remember when fans were clamoring for Kyle Orton at practice? At least Miami didn't end up with him.

New England Patriots

Having the elite quarterback-coach combination in the NFL makes any whining about the New England Patriots seem far-fetched.

However, the secondary is the worst in the National Football League, and cameras caught a feud between Brady and his offensive coordinator when playing the Washington Redskins.

The feud is really no issue. That was just two competitive men trying to do their jobs and getting caught in the moment.

The defense is a concern. However, Bill Belichick has schemed his way out of lackluster personnel before and will do so again in the playoffs.  

New York Giants

If the New York Giants lose that game against the Cowboys on Sunday night, you can just hear the cries of Giants fans hating on yet another second-half collapse.

As it were, the Giants came back and defeated the hated Cowboys and took over first place in the NFC East.

Longtime Giants fans should be used to this routine by now. When great things are expected, sometimes the Giants fall short. When least expected, New York rises up and gets the big win.

Such is the life of a New York Giants fan. 

New York Jets

Stay low, Jets fans. While the Pats are winning the AFC East, your Jets are quietly positioning themselves for a chance at a Super Bowl run.

With all of the talk about Tim Tebow and the Packers clogging the airwaves, Rex Ryan and the Jets are looking better and better as wild-card hopefuls.

If Ryan can keep his mouth shut, I like the Jets to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

There were questions surrounding this team after consecutive losses to New England and Denver. But, the team is peaking at the right time so I advise fans to keep an eye on this team come playoff time.

They have been there before. 

Oakland Raiders

Fans are rightfully displeased regarding the results stemming from the Carson Palmer trade.

Since taking over as starter against Denver in Week 9, Palmer and the Raiders are 3-3 and have relinquished the AFC West lead.

However, it is not on all Palmer's or management's shoulders.

The injury to Darren McFadden cannot be overstated in importance. While Michael Bush is a good back, he lacks the breakaway ability of McFadden.

Unfortunately for Oakland, this is a recurring theme in regards to McFadden's injury woes, and a trend Raiders fans hope stalls as soon as possible. 

Philadelphia Eagles

The collapse of the Philadelphia Eagles is being entirely blamed on the wrong man.

Head coach Andy Reid's offense has done more than enough to win the NFC East this season.

It is the defensive coordinator Juan Castillo who should be held accountable. Yes, Reid chose Castillo as the man for the job.

However, it is Castillo's task to perform in that capacity, and he has failed miserably despite adding a plethora of talent on the defensive line and secondary. 

Tennessee Titans

For a team that has exceeded expectations and is in playoff contention, there sure are many critics regarding the 2011 campaign for the Tennessee Titans.

Chris Johnson is routinely booed for every run play that doesn't gain 10 yards.

Now, Titans fans are calling for rookie Jake Locker to be thrown into the fire. While he has performed admirably in relief roles for the Titans, he has yet to be tested as the surefire starter.

How would he do if opposing teams could spend all week game-planning for his tendencies? Chances are Locker would struggle to perform at such a high level.