No hope for Colts, but things looks rosy for Pats, Texans and Chargers
Getty ImagesRay Rice and the Ravens are the class of the AFC, writes Gregg Rosenthal.
OPINION
updated 4:33 a.m. ET Nov. 8, 2011
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16. Indianapolis Colts: 0-9; Predicted finish 1-15
What?s gone right: Linebacker Pat Angerer has stepped up with a nice season. Coach Jim Caldwell has stayed awake during every game. Yep, that?s about all the positives.
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Joe Robbins / Getty Images Peyton Manning talks with quarterback Curtis Painter. |
What?s gone wrong: Everyone knew Peyton Manning held this franchise together, but this has been embarrassing. The pass rush has vanished. The talent in the secondary is laughable. The receivers have wilted without Manning and Curtis Painter has regressed since a so-so start. The team stopped fighting after the blowout loss to New Orleans.
What?s next: The Colts host the Jaguars, Panthers, and Titans down the stretch. They should be able to avoid 0-16, but still secure the No. 1 overall pick in next year?s draft. The next two months are all about Manning?s health, not the team on the field.
15. Cleveland Browns: 3-5; Predicted finish 4-12
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David J. Phillip / AP Browns quarterback Colt McCoy spots a receiver. |
What?s gone right: The defense can be stingy. Joe Haden has developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback. Draft picks Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor look like solid building blocks.
What?s gone wrong: The offense is actually worse than it was under Eric Mangini. Colt McCoy looks like a backup quarterback, and most of his weapons look like backups too. Peyton Hillis would have to move the team to Baltimore to become any less popular.
What?s next: The Browns lucked out with a very easy schedule. That has masked the fact they are one of the worst teams in the NFL.
14. Miami Dolphins: 1-7; Predicted finish 4-12
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Marc Serota / Getty Images Cameron Wake is one of the Dolphins' bright spots. |
What?s gone right: Unlike the Colts, the Dolphins give a representative effort every week. They put themselves in position to win, and then find the dumbest way possible to lose. Quarterback Matt Moore has quietly improved and played a terrific game against Kansas City. Reggie Bush has rounded into form after a terrible start.
What?s gone wrong: Brandon Marshall has calmed down off the field, but still drops passes on it. An ordinary year from tackle Jake Long typifies a shaky offensive line. The young defense has imploded in part because core pieces like Karlos Dansby, Vontae Davis, and Kevin Burnett have all underperformed.
What?s next: A two-game winning streak with Washington coming to town. Tony Sparano only has eight games left in Miami, but his team should play hard for him.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-6; Predicted finish 5-11
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Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Jacksonville defenders Jeremy Mincey D'Anthony Smith have helped the Jags to a few rare highlights this season. |
What?s gone right: The defense is a playoff caliber group because of smart pickups at linebacker. Paul Poslusnzy, Clint Session, and Daryl Smith form one of the league's best trios. On offense, Maurice Jones-Drew is the same guy he was before knee surgery.
What?s gone wrong: Cutting quarterback David Garrard backfired. Luke McCown flamed out and Blaine Gabbert looks more like Jimmy Clausen than Matt Ryan. The passing game holds this team back.
What?s next: A favorable schedule and a solid defense should create a few Jaguars wins, but this team isn?t talented enough to get on a roll. That means Jack Del Rio is likely a goner at year?s end.
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