NFC South's Struggles

From 2008-2013, the NFC South had been considered as one of the more competitive divisions in the NFL. During those six seasons, the NFC South had featured at least one team with 12 wins. This division has proven to bring some offensive firepower throughout those six seasons, but haven't shown the defensive potential that other divisions have provided. This season though, the NFC South Division has backfired, and has performed like a very weak division. The first place New Orleans Saints, aren't even at the .500 mark (5-7). The 2013 surprise team of the year, the Carolina Panthers, have a mear 3-8-1 record and really struggled on the defensive side of the ball. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are having a miserable 2-10 season, after having a good off-season. The Atlanta Falcons are also experiencing another down-year, despite posting a 4-0 record against their division. Overall, all four of these teams have been playing inconsistent, throughout the 2014 season. They have struggled on the road and are having a tough time, defending opposing offenses. Here are 5 reasons why the NFC South has been a weak division in 2014:

1. All four teams rank 20th or worst in total defense. (Saints: 20th, Panthers: 23rd, Buccaneers: 27th, Falcons: 30th)
2. All four teams rank 20th or worst in points allowed. (Saints: 21st, Falcons: 23rd, Panthers: 29th, Buccaneers: 30th)
3. Have had turnover problems on offense. (Saints: 7 Multi-Turnover Games, Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers: Averaged at least 1 Turnover per game)
4. None have a winning road record. (Saints: 2-4, Falcons: 2-4, Buccaneers: 2-4, Panthers: 1-4-1)
5. Lost key players in off-season/to injury.

The Saints haven't been able to overcome losses of Pro Bowl Saftey Jarius Byrd (knee), and the trade of versatile Running Back Darren Sproles (traded to Eagles). Their offense has been able to produce and perform at a high level, with Brees ranking third in passing yards in 2014. Marques Colston has had a down year, but young, speedy deep-threat Kenny Stills is emerging as a solid second reciever for the Saints. Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette pass rush hasn't been enough, to stop opponents passing games.

The Buccaneers brought in a new QB (Veteran Josh McCown), a new Left Tackle (Anthony Collins), a great deep threat in the draft (Mike Evans),signed a solid center (Evan Dietrich-Smith), hauled in a pass-rusher (Michael Johnson), brought in a star cornerback (Alterraun Verner) to replace Darrelle Revis, and a new coach (Lovie Smith). Their team chemistry has been very porous and the acquisition of good players hasn't improved the team moral. Their offense has shuffled through five different running backs, which resulted into the 28th rushing offense in football. The play from their defense hasn't improved, as they surrender 27.3 points per game.

The Panthers have followed up their surprising 12-4 performance, with a dismil 3-8-1 record. They were able to find their next gen reciever in rookie Kelvin Benjamen, but have failed to consistenly control the ball. Greg Hardy' absence has destroyed the 23rd ranked defenses, after yielding only the 2nd most yards per game in 2013.

Atlanta' offensive line continues to collapse Matt Ryan pocket, as their defense has been picked a part nearly each and every game. Their special teams has been a bright spot with Javier Arenas and Devin Hester returning kicks and punts. Atlanta Air Coryell offense needs a better third wide reciever, but have produced well enough, for Matt Ryan to throw for the 7th most passing yards in 2014.

Surprising Browns Continue to Stay Alive

For the past 12 years, the Cleveland Browns had been a mockery to the NFL. They have averaged 4.8 wins per season during that time span and have struggled to find a franchise QB. Most of all, their GM hasn't been able to sign a consistent, decent free agent. They had just came off a dissapointing 4-12 season, in which they had trouble running the ball, and stopping the run. They brought in a couple of average recievers on the downside of their career (Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin), but were able to find a solid running back in Ben Tate. Josh Gordon was suspended for the first 10 games of the season, and the run D, looked the same as last year. After losing a tight one to Pitsburgh, 30-27, the Browns looked to redeemed their tight loss against the rival Steelers. They shocked the world with a 26-24 nail biter over Brees and the Saints, and looked like they would make a little run, early in the season. The Browns standed 1-2 after their bye week, and came into Tennessee with lots of confidence. They then upset the Titans after eiminating a 11 point, 4th quarter lead. However, they had just lost their All-Pro Center, Alex Mack to a season ending, broken leg injury and the protection the Browns had gave Brian Hoyer, looked like it would be collpasing. From there on, the Browns have gone 5-2 since the bye week, yet still stand in last place, in arguably the best division in football right now. At 6-4, Cleveland has recoreded their best 10 game start to their season, since 2007 (Finished 10-6, but no playoffs that year), and have might have finally found their QB.

Brian Hoyer' poise in the pocket and good decision making is one reason the Browns have the 14th best offense in the NFL. Part of Hoyer' success is the protection he's had from his offensive line. The Browns have yielded only 15 sacks (6th in the NFL), but still have some difficulties producing holes for their two headed attak (was three until waiving Ben Tate this week). Rookie Isaiah Crowell was nearly cut in training camp, and now he is the starting running back for the Browns. More of a power runner, Crowell has recorded 358 yards and a 4.6 AVG through 10 games. He's shown his power in goal line formations, as he has reached pador four times inside of 5 yards. Rookie Terrance West is playing just as good as Crowell, leading the Browns with 408 yards. Like Hoyer, the running game has produced better at home, then the road. The recieving corps aren't nearly as good if the Browns had Pro Bowler Josh Gordon, but are enough for Hoyer to play consistent. Free Agent signee Andrew Hawkins leads the Browns with 45 catches for 601 yards, while Miles Austin has 34 catches for 418 yards. What's been a real dissapointment for Cleveland has been the play of Tight End Jordon Cameron. After coming off an 80 catch, 917 yard season, Cameron has posted just a mere 13 catches. Part of the reason Cleveland is ranked higher on offense, is because they have only faced 2 top-15 defenses. Furthermore, this Browns has been surprising even though their defensive schedule has been realitivley easy.

Defensivley, these Browns have been pretty average for the most part. They're ranked 22nd, considering they have looked and played very good these past couple of weeks. There run defense hasn't been the same after losing NT Phil Taylor on November 14th. Even with Taylor, they still gave up at least 120 rush yards per game. The additions of Karlos Dansby and Donte Whitner have helped re-group the defense, but it's still not quite where it's suppost to be. Even though the Browns are 29th against the run, they have still played well against the pass. They're 3rd in TD passes allowed and Interceptions. Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden hit a rough bump earlier this season, as he gave up 21 Rec, for 329 yards, and 2 TD, in his 1st five games. In his last 5 games, Haden has played like the shutdown corner, he has been throughout his career. Besides Haden, CB Buster Skrine and S Thaushon Gispon both rank top 5 in INT. Gipson leads the NFL with 6, and Skrine is tied for 3rd with 4. Cleveland's turnover game on defense has been on point throughout this season, as they average at least one takeaway per game. Although they give up a decent amount of passing yards, and don't put a lot of pressure on the QB, the Browns have been able to make plays and finish off games in both style and in ugly ways.