Every NFL team’s 2016 season in three words

The NFL playoff picture is hardly decided at this point in the season. There are still six weeks left to be played and a whole bunch of teams are lumped together in the middle of the standings, proving there are only a couple of truly great teams this year.

Yet it’s never too early to provide an analysis on just how each team’s 2016 campaign has fared. Since brevity is the soul of wit, we did so by describing every team’s season in only three words.

The Cardinals came into 2016 with Super Bowl aspirations and a loaded roster on both sides of the ball. They’ve failed to meet expectations and are all but done, and Carson Palmer’s tenure in Arizona could end this season.

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The Falcons got off to a 6-1 start last season before finishing 8-8. They’re a better team this year, but is a similar letdown coming? Their schedule may determine that, as will the play of their defense.

At 5-5, the Ravens are the definition of mediocrity. They don’t have a single impressive win with their victories coming against some of the worst teams in the NFL.

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The Bills started the season 0-2 before winning their next three. They then lost three straight before their victory on Sunday. They have yet to alternate wins and losses over the course of three consecutive games.

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Cam Newton isn’t playing like an MVP, the secondary is a mess without Josh Norman and their playoff hopes are dim. After reaching the Super Bowl a year ago, the Panthers are now a shell of themselves.

Streeter LeckaStreeter Lecka

The Bears weren’t expected to be good this season. That’s held true as they’ve seen their season go from bad to worse thanks to Jay Cutler’s injury, Kevin White’s inability to stay on the field, and a couple of four game suspensions (Alshon Jeffery, Jerrell Freeman).

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The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game under Marvin Lewis, consistently failing in the postseason under his leadership. Given the way Cincinnati’s season has gone, there will be no playoff disappointment this year because they won’t make it to the big dance.

Seriously, is it over yet? They’ve been eliminated from playoff contention and 0-16 is a real possibility.

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Dak Prescott has ushered in a new era for the Cowboys as the quarterback of the future. Ezekiel Elliott and the offensive line have also helped, but the biggest storyline in Dallas is the unseating of Tony Romo as the star of the team.  

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The Broncos have not been good on offense, mainly because Trevor Siemian has struggled in recent weeks. However, the defense is as good as ever and has the Broncos looking like Super Bowl contenders once again.

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Week 11 marked the first time this season that the Lions won a game without trailing in the last 90 seconds. Matthew Stafford has been a wizard in the fourth quarter, leading his team to comeback win after comeback win.

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Aaron Rodgers has taken a lot of heat for his unspectacular play and finger-pointing personality – rightly so. However, he’s also scored every single one of the Packers’ 28 touchdowns, so he’s been a one-man show.

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The Texans went all in on Brock Osweiler, giving him a four-year, $72 million contract without meeting with him in person. While only $36 million of it is guaranteed, the Texans’ gamble hasn’t paid off completely this season. They’re 6-4 but Osweiler has been one of the worst QBs in football.

Yet again, Andrew Luck has had to carry a Colts team that refuses to protect him, while the defense has been unhelpful. Indianapolis will go as Luck goes, which should come as no surprise.

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Blake Bortles has gotten worse this season, as have Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. The Jaguars as a whole have regressed, stumbling to a 2-8 record in the terrible AFC South.

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The Chiefs have won 17 of their past 20 regular season games and went into Week 11 with a 10-game win streak at home. They’re overlooked by just about everyone, but have a decent chance at reaching the Super Bowl.

Jeff Fisher is the posterchild for 7-9, consistently finishing in the middle of the pack. This season is no different as the Rams are likely to finish 7-9 yet again, if not worse. It seems as though the front office will be OK with that, considering there have been rumblings that Fisher will see his contract extended.

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Jay Ajayi is a big reason the Dolphins are 6-4 and vying for a playoff spot. The Jay Train, as it’s called, slowed down a bit in recent weeks, but without him carrying the ball for 100-plus yards consistently, the Dolphins struggle on offense. He’s their catalyst.

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Teddy Bridgewater’s injury was obviously crushing, but Adrian Peterson’s was far worse. The Vikings have the worst rushing attack in the NFL without him and the offense is a shell of what it once was when he was taking handoffs. The Vikings need him back on the field as soon as possible.

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Did you honestly think the Patriots were going to have a down year with Tom Brady missing four games? You shouldn’t have, because they’re the Patriots. New England is the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and are one of the three best teams right now.

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The Saints won’t have Drew Brees at the helm for long, and they’ve refused to take advantage of his little time left in the NFL. New Orleans’ defense can’t hold the leads Brees gives it and the team as a whole has underachieved with him under center.

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The Giants are 7-3 and trail the Cowboys by just two games in the NFC East. The majority of people outside of New York are wondering how that has happened, but it’s the result of their ability to win close games. All seven of their victories have been by one possession, including three by four points or fewer.

Darrelle Revis summed up the Jets’ season perfectly when he explained why he isn’t good this season: “Because I’m old.” Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t young, and neither is Brandon Marshall, Revis, Matt Forte or their offensive line. The Jets need to get younger on offense and defense if they want to have any success in 2017.

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The Raiders came out of nowhere to post an 8-2 record through 11 weeks. They were expected to be better this season, but no one saw 8-2 coming at the start of the season. Like the Lions, they’ve experienced their share of late-game magic, and it’s a big reason they’re leading the AFC West.

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The Carson Wentz bandwagon – aka the Wentzwagon – was full at the start of the season. He was playing lights out and looked like a Pro Bowler. Since then, however, the wheels have fallen off a bit as teams have begun to figure him out. Not to mention, his receivers can’t catch even the easiest passes, so he could use some assistance there.

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You just don’t know what Steelers team you’re going to get on any given Sunday. You could see the one that dominated the Browns and had eight sacks, or you could get the team that got blasted by the Eagles and Dolphins.

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The Chargers have endured their fair share of crushing injuries this season, from Danny Woodhead to Keenan Allen to Jason Verrett. However, they’ve also invented ways to lose. They’ve blown leads, botched field goal attempts and seen Philip Rivers throw four picks in the fourth quarter of a game.

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The 49ers can’t possibly get any worse, sitting at 1-9 on the year. The only way to go is up, though they won’t rise much the rest of the season. They need to rebuild in the offseason and find a true franchise quarterback because Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick aren’t this team’s future.

The Seahawks started off slow but have since turned their season into one that looks very familiar. They’re Super Bowl contenders and boast one of the best defenses in football – because of course they do.

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Jameis Winston is the most important player on Tampa Bay’s roster, and he often determines if the Buccaneers win a game or not. He’s been inconsistent, throwing eight picks in his first four games but just two in his last six. If he can play like he has in recent weeks, the Bucs are in good shape.

USA TODAY SportsGary Rohman

Go figure, Mike Mularkey’s often-quoted “Exotic smashmouth” offense actually works. It’s helped the Titans to the third-ranked rushing offense in the NFL and a respectable 5-6 record.

Jim Brown-USA TODAY SportsJim Brown

Kirk Cousins is like a walking Vine video. From “You like that?!” to “Oooooweee” to “How do you like me now?!” Cousins is never shy about expressing his feelings – and his play is there to back it up. He’s been great this season and is earning every penny he’ll make in 2017.

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