It was an amazing year in the NFL in 2014. We saw more than our share of teams with winning records that failed to make the playoffs. And for the third consecutive year, a club with 10 wins failed to qualify for the postseason.
So what went slightly wrong for this handful of clubs this past season and what will they have to do if these five don’t want to be marooned come the 2015 postseason?
Answers are enclosed, as well as each team’s win-loss record in 2014.
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Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Just Hang On?
It was once a great song (and still is). But it could be the theme for the Eagles’ 2014 highlight film.
Admittedly, losing quarterback Nick Foles to injury at midseason didn’t help the cause of the defending NFC East champions, although these Birds won 10 games under head coach Chip Kelly–just as was the case in 2013.
All told, the Eagles led the NFL with 36 turnovers this past season, nearly double their total from 2013 (19). And three-quarters of those miscues did come from the combination of Foles (13) and replacement Mark Sanchez (14). Still, this is a talented team that may be just scratching the surface in terms of potential. But that all becomes a moot point if you can’t hold onto the football. And the defense, while making strides in certain areas, had its shortcomings as well.
Buffalo Bills (9-7)
For the first time in 10 years (2004), the Bills finished with a winning record. And for the first time since 2007, Buffalo avoided a last-place finish in the AFC East.
There’s a new head coach in town (again) as Doug Marrone opted out of his contract. Enter Rex Ryan, he of the New York Jets the past six seasons.
So what does this team need to make its first postseason appearance since 1999? The defense could be fearsome and that’s saying something considering it ranked fourth in the NFL this season and led the league in sacks. But the offense remains inconsistent at best and new coordinator Greg Roman, late of the 49ers, has some work to do in a lot of aspects.
Houston Texans (9-7)
Is the answer as simplistic as getting a reliable quarterback? Some would say so when it comes to the Texans, who made a seven-game improvement in the win column from the previous season.
The team went through its share of signal-callers in 2014 and rookie Tom Savage wound up seeing some action. Was that experience enough for him to earn a shot at a starting job next season? What more can we expect from veteran wideout Andre Johnson in the future? Houston got an amazing year from defensive end J.J. Watt and still fell a bit short of the postseason. Don’t be shocked if the Texans’ 2015 draft is very offensive heavy, with youth having to be served sooner than later.
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Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
It’s still hard to fathom that Andy Reid’s team went an entire season without a wide receiver catching a touchdown pass.
Of course, it’s also hard to believe that after a 0-2 start and then a 7-1 run, the Chiefs dropped four of their last six games and failed to get back to the playoffs.
Back to the receiver issue, a position that you figure this team will address in the offseason. Kansas City also needs some more help on defense. Despite the presence of outside linebacker Justin Houston and his NFL-high 22.0 sacks, only four teams in the league allowed more rushing yards.
So forget the pass catchers. How about a few more guys who can catch a running back?
San Diego Chargers (9-7)
It was some kind of rollercoaster year for the Bolts, who finished with the identical win-loss record from a year ago but wouldn’t be going back to the playoffs.
The Chargers offense slipped a bit in 2014, mainly due to a slew of injuries in the backfield. Without as much support from the previous season, quarterback Philip Rivers had his issues with turnovers down the stretch.
But the San Diego defense also came up short in a number of aspects. The team lacked a consistent pass rush and Mike McCoy’s club only forced 18 turnovers, one more than in 2013 (17).
Look for San Diego to add some aggressive playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, be it via the draft or through free agency. It’s essential if this team wants to avoid another third-place finish in the AFC West.