We're at the midway point of the 2014 NFL season. Already we've seen multiple passing records broken, a defensive player become a legitimate candidate for MVP, and one heck of a National Anthem. Although the playoff picture is still a blur, we have a pretty good idea of which teams will succeed, and not, for the rest of the season. Here are some key points displayed in that first half, as well as what to focus on in the coming months.
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| DeMarco Murray is on pace to gain 2,104 rushing yards this season; an NFL record. |
How 'bout Them Cowboys
After losing the first game of the season to the San Francisco 49ers in the Jerry Dome, the Dallas Cowboys have gone 6-2, including going undefeated on the road, and boast the league's best running attack. So how has a team that has gone 8-8 the past three consecutive seasons suddenly become a championship hopeful? Turns out time may be the answer.
Beginning with their first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Cowboys have been choosing smart, safe players to build upon. Dez Bryant was that pick. The next draft brought in starting left tackle Tyron Smith, starting strong side linebacker Bruce Carter, who's having the best season of his career so far, and the current league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray. Morris Claiborne was drafted a year later, and when he's healthy, he contributes. The 2013 Draft started bringing the team together with depth in pass-catchers Terrance Williams and Gavin Escobar, as well as adding starters Travis Frederick at center and J.J. Wilcox and strong safety. The latest draft proved this team would rather win games than be flashy, when the front office picked starting right guard Zack Martin with the 16th overall pick instead the much advertised Johnny Manziel.
But America's Team didn't stop there. After making a big splash in the 2012 off-season by signing cornerback Brandon Carr, the Cowboys continued to make gutsy moves in free agency. Additions Justin Durant in 2013 and Henry Melton and Rolando McClain in 2014 have all had stellar starts to the season.
After three seasons of mediocrity, the assembling of these many parts is finally paying off. The Dallas Cowboys have had their best nine games to start a season since 2009, and despite losing their past two games to Washington and Arizona, with four of their remaining seven opponents below .500, the Cowboys still have plenty of time to finish with the top record in football.
How 'bout Them... Lions?
The Cowboys aren't the only team achieving the unexpected. The Detroit Lions, if the season ended today, would be the number two seed for the NFC in the playoffs. The defense is first in the league in total yards and points allowed, giving up a mere 15.8 points per game. The hiring of head coach Jim Caldwell has led to a new level of performance unreachable with the old organization.
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| Head Coach Mike Pettine(left) and hometown quarterback Brian Hoyer have led the Cleveland Browns to a 5-3 record, including wins against the Saints and Steelers. |
Along with the Lions, the Browns, Dolphins, and Bills are proving parity in the NFL is as present as ever. Those three AFC teams have five wins each and are all well in the playoff hunt, just two wins away from first place in the conference. On the other end, the once strong NFC South is looking like the worst division in pro football. The Falcons are 2-6 despite having an undefeated division record, and the Buccaneers have won one game. It is the only division in which no one has an above .500 record.
Last season, everyone was asking if the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs are "for real". These final eight weeks of the 2014 season will show us which teams are.
Rookie Receivers: They Are Who We Thought They Were
Heading into the 2014 NFL Draft, it was clear to many scouts what the top position in the draft was: wide receiver. The drafted proved that theory correct. Fifteen receivers were taken in the first three rounds, more than any other position. But it wasn't hype that led to this. These young play-makers are building bright careers and are driving the NFL to new heights through the air.
First, some statistics. Fourteen of these rookie receivers have more than 200 yards receiving this season. Four of those already have more than 35 receptions. Seven are all on pace to break 800 total receiving yards by the end of the season, an NFL record. That will be more hitting that benchmark than there were the past two seasons combined. Five of them- Sammy Watkins of the Buffalo Bills, Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kelvin Benjamin of the Carolina Panthers, and Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns of the Jacksonville Jaguars- are currently leading their respective teams in most if not all major receiving categories.
Currently leading all rookies in receiving yards, speedster Sammy Watkins was valued highly by Buffalo, as they traded up to the fourth pick in the draft to get him. Mike Evans was drafted three picks later by the Bucs to compliment an aging Vincent Jackson, but since then he has taken over the number one receiving spot as a tall, physical Z receiver. Kelvin Benjamin was the man Carolina had been desperately seeking since the departure of Steve Smith, and while I personally felt he needed one more year in college to develop his game, he has since proven me wrong. Jacksonville, despite drafting the highly rated Marqise Lee, are led by two other first year receivers in Allen Robinson and the undrafted Allen Hurns. New Orleans' Brandin Cooks, Pittsburgh's Martavis Bryant, Cleveland's Taylor Gabriel, Philadelphia's Jordan Matthews, Green Bay's Davante Adams, Arizona's John Brown, and the Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. are also all making a difference on the field.
New rules about defending receivers have given offensive coordinators the freedom to draw up more pass-heavy playbooks. These incredible pass-catchers will not only continue to perform, but will get better with time.
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| Kelvin Benjamin is tied with Sammy Watkins, Allen Hurns, and Martavis Bryant for most receiving TDs by a rookie this season, with 5. |
Tonight, AFC North leaders Cincinnati host division rival Cleveland in a Thursday Night Football showdown. That division is the only division with all winning records. As we move into November and edge closer to the playoffs, the 2014 NFL season continues to captivate fans across the country.
