Season Recap - 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers



Final Record: 8-8
Finished: 2nd Place in the AFC North
2014 Draft Position: 15th

Preseason Ranking: 14

Week 1: Lost to the Tennessee Titans, 16-9
    Ranked - 28
    Injuries have already taken their toll on this aging team.

Week 2: Lost at the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-10
    Ranked - 30
    This team is old, injury-prone and just not executing.

Week 3: Lost to the Chicago Bears, 40-23
    Ranked - 30
    There were some bright spots on Monday night against the Bears, but those bright spots are easily forgotten once you see the huge number of points Chicago, a historical offensive juggernaut, put up against this once proud Steel Curtain.

Week 4: Lost at the Minnesota Vikings, 34-27
    Ranked - 30
    I cannot remember the Steelers playing this poorly… I'm sure they have, but Pittsburgh and 0-4 just doesn't feel right.

Week 5: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 30
    Did they get healthy during their bye week? Pittsburgh fans can only hope. A road trip to New York to face off against the bruising Jets will show whether or not the Steelers can save their season.

Week 6: Defeated the New York Jets, 19-6
    Ranked - 29
    The Steelers come out of the bye week and notch a solid victory on the road. It's still not too late for them to turn their season around.

Week 7: Defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 19-16
    Ranked - 27
    The Steelers are 2-0 coming out of their bye week after starting 0-4. That says a lot about their pride and character as a football team. It may not translate into a playoff run, but at least they will be good enough to have a say in who makes it to the second season.

Week 8: Lost at the Oakland Raiders, 21-18
    Ranked - 27
    Just when you think the Steelers have things figured out, they get run over by Terrelle Pryor and the Oakland Raiders.

Week 9: Lost at the New England Patriots, 55-31
    Ranked - 28
    The Steel Sieve gave up more points and more yards to the Patriots than to any other team in any other game in the history of this storied franchise. That has to feel good.

Week 10: Defeated the Buffalo Bills, 23-10
    Ranked - 23
    Pittsburgh rebounds with a win after one of their worst defensive performances in franchise history.

Week 11: Defeated the Detroit Lions, 37-27
    Ranked - 24
    The Steelers are suddenly right back in the mix of the AFC Wild Card chase.

Week 12: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 27-11
    Ranked - 21
    After a very slow start, Pittsburgh has turned the corner and is now driving for a playoff spot. I doubt they can get there, though.

Week 13: Lost at the Baltimore Ravens, 22-20
    Ranked - 21
    GET OFF THE FIELD, TOMLIN!! Or, if you're there, at least tackle the guy. Geesh.

Week 14: Lost to the Miami Dolphins, 34-28
    Ranked - 22
    So much for a drive for the playoffs… Pittsburgh can start preparing for 2014.

Week 15: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 30-20
    Ranked - 20
    Huge win by the Steelers on Sunday night. The playoffs are still an outside possibility, but a lot will have to go their way the final two weeks of the season.

Week 16: Defeated the Green Bay Packers, 38-31
    Ranked - 18
    The Steelers are in the playoffs as a wild card if they can win and Miami, Baltimore and San Diego all lose.

Week 17: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 20-7

Final Ranking: 15

Check back next week when the 2013 season recaps continue, featuring Creative Misfortune's favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys...

Season Recap - 2013 Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears



Final Record: 8-8
Finished: 2nd Place in the NFC North
2014 Draft Position: 14th

Preseason Ranking: 8

Week 1: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 24-21
    Ranked - 6
    A tough, comeback win against an AFC favorite. The Bears may not be flashy, but they do know how to win games.

Week 2: Defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 31-30
    Ranked - 5
    Good teams find a way to win. The Bears found a way on Sunday.

Week 3: Defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 40-23
    Ranked - 3
    The Chicago defense is generating points again and the offense is moving the ball better than they have in years.

Week 4: Lost at the Detroit Lions, 40-32
    Ranked - 9
    Chicago may have stumbled in Detroit, but they will have something to say about that later this year when the Lions come back to visit them. But for now…

Week 5: Lost to the New Orleans Saints, 26-18
    Ranked - 11
    Once unstoppable, the Bears have been stopped twice in a row. It's still early, but a few more losses and their season will be gone.

Week 6: Defeated the New York Giants, 27-21
    Ranked - 10
    The Bears nearly let the game against the Giants slip away. You never want to flirt with that late-game Manning magic, but they survived the scare with flying colors.

Week 7: Lost at the Washington Redskins, 45-41
    Ranked - 13
    Cutler's injury definitely puts a damper on Chicago's playoff hopes and their defense getting shellacked for 45 points by RGIII and the Redskins can't help their confidence any.

Week 8: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 14
    Will one week to heal be enough for the Bears?

Week 9: Defeated the Green Bay Packers, 27-20
    Ranked - 12
    The Bears win with punishing defensive play and a solid offense.

Week 10: Lost to the Detroit Lions, 21-19
    Ranked - 11
    Like the Packers, injuries have slowed the Bears.

Week 11: Defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 23-20
    Ranked - 11
    Defense keeps them winning, despite the injuries on offense.

Week 12: Lost at the St. Louis Rams, 42-21
    Ranked - 14
    If the Bears don't have good defense, they will start fading as injuries continue to take their toll.

Week 13: Lost at the Minnesota Vikings, 23-20
    Ranked - 16
    The Bears still have a shot, but losing to Minnesota really hurt their chances for a postseason run.

Week 14: Defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 45-28
    Ranked - 13
    Is it too early to declare a quarterback controversy in Chicago?

Week 15: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 38-31
    Ranked - 12
    And now the division is theirs to win or lose with two weeks remaining.

Week 16: Lost at the Philadelphia Eagles, 54-11
    Ranked - 16
    The playoff picture for the Bears is very simple - beat the Packers to win the NFC North or lose and go home.

Week 17: Lost to the Green Bay Packers, 33-28

Final Ranking: 17

Tomorrow, the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers...

Season Recap - 2013 St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams



Final Record: 7-9
Finished: 4^th Place in the NFC West
2014 Draft Position: 13th

Preseason Ranking: 21

Week 1: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 27-24
    Ranked - 13
    A tough, gritty come-from-behind win is just what this young team needed to propel them on to bigger and better things.

Week 2: Lost at the Atlanta Falcons, 31-24
    Ranked - 21
    The Rams were hammered by the Falcons in the first half, but showed a lot of spirit in the second half, proving that this young team is close to taking that next step towards greatness.

Week 3: Lost at the Dallas Cowboys, 31-7
    Ranked - 25
    The Rams took a step back against Dallas this past weekend, but this is a young team full of potential.

Week 4: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 35-11
    Ranked - 28
    The Rams looked terrible last Thursday… maybe they needed more than 3 days to recover from the beating Dallas put on them the Sunday before. Bradford needs to step his game up, otherwise St. Louis will be looking for a new QB by season's end.

Week 5: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-20
    Ranked - 24
    The Rams still need a lot of improvement, but after being manhandled by the Cowboys and 49ers, being able to kick the Jaguars had to feel pretty good.

Week 6: Defeated the Houston Texans, 38-13
    Ranked - 20
    Looks like the Rams have finally recovered from their losses to the Cowboys and 49ers a few weeks back.

Week 7: Lost at the Carolina Panthers, 30-15
    Ranked - 23
    Sam Bradford done for the year and new quarterbacks are being tried out as we we speak. That does not bode well for the rest of the season.

Week 8: Lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 14-9
    Ranked - 24
    St. Louis shocked everybody last week by almost knocking off the Seahawks. If the defense keeps playing strong, the offense may be able to get into gear and notch a few more wins before the season is over.

Week 9: Lost to the Tennessee Titans, 28-21
    Ranked - 24
    Who needs a quarterback when you have a running back that can rush for 150+? Ya, the Rams still need a quarterback.

Week 10: Defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 38-8
    Ranked - 20
    Holy cow, St. Louis! Where the heck did that game come from?

Week 11: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 21
    The Rams have no shot at the division title, but some slim hopes still remain for a Wild Card spot if they keep playing like they played in Indianapolis.

Week 12: Defeated the Chicago Bears, 42-21
    Ranked - 19
    I don't know what has gotten into the Rams, but they are playing outstanding football lately.

Week 13: Lost at the San Francisco 49ers, 23-13
    Ranked - 20
    After a couple solid weeks of play, St. Louis did not look good against the 49ers - a team they have to learn how to beat if they ever hope to regain dominance within the division.

Week 14: Lost at the Arizona Cardinals, 30-10
    Ranked - 21
    The Rams have a lot of potential… just need to get their execution down so they can keep pace with the big boys in their division.

Week 15: Defeated the New Orleans Saints, 27-16
    Ranked - 19
    The Rams won't make the playoffs this year, but they are certainly putting the pieces in place for a run in 2014.

Week 16: Defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-13
    Ranked - 19
    Out of the playoffs, the Rams have an excellent opportunity to finish the season at .500 and mess with Seattle's playoff seeding if they can pull off the week 17 upset.

Week 17: Lost at the Seattle Seahawks, 27-9

Final Ranking: 21

Tomorrow, the 2013 Chicago Bears... 

Season Recap - 2013 New York Giants

New York Giants



Final Record: 7-9
Finished: 3rd Place in the NFC East
2014 Draft Position: 12th

Preseason Ranking: 7

Week 1: Lost at the Dallas Cowboys, 36-31
    Ranked - 19
    Anybody need a running back? I feel for David Wilson. I hope he can win his job back, because he is a talented player, but once in Coughlin's doghouse, it's hard to climb back out again.

Week 2: Lost to the Denver Broncos, 41-23
    Ranked - 28
    The Giants look like an unfolding lawn chair… sure, they have potential, but they just don't look right in your living room.

Week 3: Lost at the Carolina Panthers, 38-0
    Ranked - 31
    Even bad teams don't look as horrible as the Giants this past Sunday. Who knows what is going on, but I'm sure this is all David Wilson's fault somehow. Or maybe it is just that the Giants aren't very good this year.

Week 4: Lost at the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-7
    Ranked - 31
    Schisms between the offense and the defense are always good for teams… especially for teams playing as terribly as the Giants are. If the Jaguars weren't in complete self-destruct mode, the Giants would easily be the worst team in the league right now.

Week 5: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 36-21
    Ranked - 31
    I suppose the Giants could turn it around and finish the season 11-5, but really? That's not going to happen. 8-8 won't even happen, despite this team's crazy ability to get streaky and win games at the right time.

Week 6: Lost at the Chicago Bears, 27-21
    Ranked - 31
    Injuries have now added to New York's woes… They will win some games yet this year, but the work on the 2014 season has already started.

Week 7: Defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7
    Ranked - 29
    Congratulations, New York! You beat the Vikings, the only other one-win team in the league starting a quarterback who had only practiced with the team for three weeks. That has to make you feel proud.

Week 8: Defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 15-7
    Ranked - 29
    Two straight wins have the Giant faithful thinking playoffs. In a weak division, they definitely aren't out of it.

Week 9: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 29
    Just three games out in the win column with eight left to play… the Giants aren't truly Forked yet.

Week 10: Defeated the Oakland Raiders, 24-20
    Ranked - 24
    The Giants, despite their terrible start, are still viable contenders in the weak NFC East.

Week 11: Defeated the Green Bay Packers, 27-13
    Ranked - 26
    The Giants are setting themselves up to be more than spoilers in the closing weeks of the season.

Week 12: Lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-21
    Ranked - 26
    The Giants 4-game winning streak couldn't have been snapped by a better team.

Week 13: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 24-17
    Ranked - 22
    The Giants keep doing just enough to miss the playoffs and hurt the draft pick positioning in 2014.

Week 14: Lost at the San Diego Chargers, 37-14
    Ranked - 23
    Surprisingly enough, the Giants can still finish the season without a losing record.

Week 15: Lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 23-0
    Ranked - 24
    What is going on with Eli Manning? 5 INTs is too many, even for him. Not that the Giants have anything really to play for, but with the division still up for grabs and both the Eagles and Cowboys struggling, you'd think they could have scored at least 1 point.

Week 16: Defeated the Detroit Lions, 23-20
    Ranked - 24
    Out of the playoffs, the Giants finish the season with a meaningless NFC East game against the Redskins.

Week 17: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 20-6

Final Ranking: 23

Tomorrow, the 2013 St. Louis Rams...

Season Recap - 2013 Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans



Final Record: 7-9
Finished: 2nd Place in the AFC South
2014 Draft Position: 11th

Preseason Ranking: 25

Week 1: Defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-9
    Ranked - 14
    I'm not sure what to make of the Titans. That game against Pittsburgh didn't show us much.

Week 2: Lost at the Houston Texans, 30-24
    Ranked - 16
    So close to being 2-0, the Titans will either learn from this last heartbreaking loss or start to fall apart.

Week 3: Defeated the San Diego Chargers, 20-17
    Ranked - 12
    One of the surprise teams of the early season, the Titans could easily be undefeated still if they had not allowed that late-game rally to the Texans two weeks ago.

Week 4: Defeated the New York Jets, 38-13
    Ranked - 7
    How can the Titans score 38 points and only get 20+ yards rushing out of Chris Johnson? A question on the minds of many fantasy owners following last week's impressive win over the Jets.

Week 5: Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 26-17
    Ranked - 7
    The Titans came up short in a battle with the undefeated Chiefs, but they are still playing surprisingly good football.

Week 6: Lost at the Seattle Seahawks, 20-13
    Ranked - 14
    A close loss on the road to an NFC powerhouse is nothing to hang your head about. The loss by the Colts helps, too.

Week 7: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 31-17
    Ranked - 16
    Three straight losses have brought the early overachievers back to where they were expected to be all along - just below .500.

Week 8: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 17
    The Titans probably will miss the playoffs, but they still can surprise some people.

Week 9: Defeated the St. Louis Rams, 28-21
    Ranked - 15
    Finally, Chris Johnson plays like CJ2K and the Titans win. Coincidence?

Week 10: Lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 29-27
    Ranked - 21
    How on earth can the Titans lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars?

Week 11: Lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 30-27
    Ranked - 18
    If Chris Johnson could show just a bit more consistency, the Titans wouldn't be such a question mark of a team.

Week 12: Defeated the Oakland Raiders, 23-19
    Ranked - 16
    The Titans look good enough to finish the season 8-8 or 9-7 and just miss the playoffs.

Week 13: Lost at the Indianapolis Colts, 22-14
    Ranked - 17
    Tennessee missed their best chance to make the playoffs when they let the Colts get away from them last week.

Week 14: Lost at the Denver Broncos, 51-28
    Ranked - 20
    The Titans had the Broncos right where they wanted them… and then Peyton manning happened.

Week 15: Lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 37-34
    Ranked - 22
    A great comeback falls just short… kind of the story of the Tennessee's 2013 season.

Week 16: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-16
    Ranked - 22
    Out of the playoffs, the Titans have a virtually meaningless game left against the Texans

Week 17: Defeated the Houston Texans, 16-10

Final Ranking: 22

Tomorrow, the 2013 New York Giants...

Season Recap - 2013 Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions



Final Record: 7-9
Finished: 3rd Place in the NFC North
2014 Draft Position: 10th

Preseason Ranking: 27

Week 1: Defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 34-24
    Ranked - 11
    Detroit survived Adrian Peterson… now how will they fare against the rest of the league?

Week 2: Lost at the Arizona Cardinals, 25-21
    Ranked - 15
    All the offensive weapons in the world and the Lions still manage to lose games they shouldn't.

Week 3: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 27-20
    Ranked - 11
    Nothing like winning for the first time in Washington since… forever.

Week 4: Defeated the Chicago Bears, 40-32
    Ranked - 8
    The Lions are the team to beat in the NFC North.

Week 5: Lost at the Green Bay Packers, 22-9
    Ranked - 9
    No Megatron, big problems. The Lions were crushed by the Packers in Wisconsin… well, if you can call a barrage of field goals getting crushed. Detroit has to find a way to win without Calvin Johnson if this is to be their year.

Week 6: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 31-17
    Ranked - 8
    After dropping a couple games recently, Detroit picks up another win to stay even with the Bears atop the NFC North.

Week 7: Lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-24
    Ranked - 11
    Another close loss drops the Lions a half-game behind the Packers and they have already lost to Green Bay once this season.

Week 8: Defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 31-30
    Ranked - 10
    Megatron! 329 yards receiving! Need I say more?

Week 9: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 10
    After Monday Night, the Lions have suddenly become the team to beat in the NFC North.

Week 10: Defeated the Chicago Bears, 21-19
    Ranked - 7
    The Lions are the team to beat in the NFC North and are far healthier than their division foes.

Week 11: Lost at the Pittsburgh Steelers, 37-27
    Ranked - 10
    The Lions had a great chance to move ahead in the division, but let it slip away despite another impressive performance by Megatron.

Week 12: Lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-21
    Ranked - 13
    With the division wide open for their taking, the Lions laid an egg at home against the woeful Buccaneers.

Week 13: Defeated the Green Bay Packers, 40-10
    Ranked - 10
    As the Packers and Bears fade into the distance, the Lions look to reign supreme in the NFC North.

Week 14: Lost at the Philadelphia Eagles, 34-20
    Ranked - 12
    The snow in Philadelphia really hurt Detroit's high-octane offense.

Week 15: Lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 18-16
    Ranked - 15
    The Lions have had the division in their hands for weeks now, but they've let it slip almost completely through their fingers.

Week 16: Lost to the New York Giants, 23-20
    Ranked - 20
    Out of the playoffs, the Lions take on Minnesota this week in a meaningless NFC North game.

Week 17: Lost at the Minnesota Vikings, 14-13

Final Ranking: 20

Season recaps continue next week with the 2013 Tennessee Titans...

Season Recap - 2013 Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills



Final Record: 6-10
Finished: 4^th Place in the AFC East
2014 Draft Position: 9th

Preseason Ranking: 24

Week 1: Lost to the New England Patriots, 23-21
    Ranked - 24
    So close to upsetting the Patriots week one, the Bills still have to prove they can win games before anyone will take them seriously.

Week 2: Defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-23
    Ranked - 18
    The Bills are young and showing some fight this season.

Week 3: Lost at the New York Jets, 27-20
    Ranked - 21
    So close to defeating the Jets, the Bills are once again headed for the cellar of the AFC East.

Week 4: Defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 23-20
    Ranked - 13
    A big victory by the Bills at home has them right there in the AFC East mix.

Week 5: Lost at the Cleveland Browns, 37-24
    Ranked - 21
    Buffalo missed out on the Freeman sweepstakes. The season is not lost, but as the worst of the AFC East teams, they certainly have an uphill battle to fight.

Week 6: Lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-24
    Ranked - 23
    So close to victory, the Bills drop a tough one at home in overtime.

Week 7: Defeated the Miami Dolphins, 23-21
    Ranked - 19
    A big road win over the Dolphins has the Bills thinking they might have a chance. Sure, they are still in last place and still have a losing record, but that doesn't mean they don't have a chance to get back into the division race the way all the other AFC East teams are playing.

Week 8: Lost at the New Orleans Saints, 35-17
    Ranked - 21
    Buffalo just doesn't have what it takes to stay with the elite NFL teams.

Week 9: Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-13
    Ranked - 22
    Really hard to lose a game when you don't give up an offensive touchdown. Kind of like pitching a no hitter and losing on an error.

Week 10: Lost at the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-10
    Ranked - 27
    The Bills almost seemed like they were going somewhere a few weeks ago, but instead they are going nowhere, just like every other season the last ten years.

Week 11: Defeated the New York Jets, 37-14
    Ranked - 22
    Where have these Bills been? If they played like that earlier in the year, they certainly could have shocked some people.

Week 12: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 23
    At 4-7, the Bills have virtually no shot to make the playoffs, especially with a lot of road games remaining on their schedule.

Week 13: Lost to the Atlanta Falcons, 34-31
    Ranked - 24
    Toronto just doesn't give the Bills the home-field advantage that they need. So what if it is cold in Buffalo?

Week 14: Lost at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-6
    Ranked - 28
    I really thought the Bills could have been something this year.

Week 15: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20
    Ranked - 23
    As bad as the year has gone for the Bills, at least they seem to have found their starting quarterback for the future in EJ Manuel.

Week 16: Defeated the Miami Dolphins, 19-0
    Ranked - 23
    Out of the playoffs, the Bills can still send the Patriots stumbling into the playoffs without a first-round bye.

Week 17: Lost at the New England Patriots, 34-20

Final Ranking: 24

Tomorrow, the 2013 Detroit Lions...

Season Recap - 2013 Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings



Final Record: 5-10-1
Finished: 4^th Place in the NFC North
2014 Draft Position: 8th

Preseason Ranking: 18

Week 1: Lost at the Detroit Lions, 34-24
    Ranked - 26
    If only Adrian Peterson could throw the ball and play defense, the Vikings would be nigh unstoppable.

Week 2: Lost at the Chicago Bears, 31-30
    Ranked - 26
    So close… goes to show you they can't win without Adrian Peterson scoring TDs for them.

Week 3: Lost to the Cleveland Browns, 31-27
    Ranked - 27
    How can you lose to the Browns? At home? Against a second-start quarterback?

Week 4: Defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-27
    Ranked - 24
    The Vikings get their first win of the season about as far removed from the home fans as they can get!

Week 5: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 26
    Josh Freeman is in town! If Freeman starts this weekend, expect a whole lot of AP… not that you would expect anything else from the Vikings at this point, regardless of which no-name player they started at QB.

Week 6: Lost to the Carolina Panthers, 35-10
    Ranked - 28
    Tough week for the Vikings to play a game…

Week 7: Lost at the New York Giants, 23-7
    Ranked - 30
    The Vikings should have started Cassell over Freeman. Freeman just was not ready yet and the Vikings could have easily defeated the Giants if they showed any semblance of competance on the offensive side of the ball.

Week 8: Lost to the Green Bay Packers, 44-31
    Ranked - 30
    The QB carousel in Minnesota continues and the defense is starting to buckle under the weight of an offense not going anywhere.

Week 9: Lost at the Dallas Cowboys, 27-23
    Ranked - 30
    Only the Vikings could lose the game after Romo throws a late 4th quarter interception.

Week 10: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 34-27
    Ranked - 28
    A great win at home, Minnesota still has to figure out who will be their starting quarterback in 2014. I don't think the right man for the job is currently on the roster today.

Week 11: Lost at the Seattle Seahawks, 41-20
    Ranked - 30
    Until the Vikings can figure out their quarterback situation, they will continue to fail.

Week 12: Tied the Green Bay Packers, 26-26
    Ranked - 29
    When you are ahead by 16 points in the 4th quarter and you end the game tied, that's worse than a loss. A loss would have been better for the Vikings, because the tie is just going to hurt their 2014 draft position.

Week 13: Defeated the Chicago Bears, 23-20
    Ranked - 27
    Two consecutive ties would have been history… but another overtime win? Meh.

Week 14: Lost at the Baltimore Ravens, 29-26
    Ranked - 29
    If Peterson is remotely hurt, the Vikings should just shut him down the rest of the season. Why risk further injury to your star player? Taking Adrian away would also allow them to truly evaluate the talent - or lack thereof - they have at the quarterback position as they prepare for the 2014 draft.

Week 15: Defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 48-30
    Ranked - 25
    Who needs Adrian Peterson?

Week 16: Lost at the Cincinnati Bengals, 42-14
    Ranked - 25
    No chance at the #1 draft pick or the playoffs. The Vikings take on Detroit this week in a meaningless NFC North game.

Week 17: Defeated the Detroit Lions, 14-13

Final Ranking: 25

Tomorrow, the 2013 Buffalo Bills...

Season Recap - 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers



Final Record: 4-12
Finished: 3rd Place in the NFC South
2014 Draft Position: 7th

Preseason Ranking: 17

Week 1: Lost at the New York Jets, 18-17
    Ranked - 22
    That was a terrible way to start the season.

Week 2: Lost to the New Orleans Saints, 16-14
    Ranked - 25
    Two straight losses on two last second field goals… maybe if Coach Schiano stopped blitzing victory formations at the end of games karma would allow the Buccaneers to win some of these close games.

Week 3: Lost at the New England Patriots, 23-3
    Ranked - 29
    The defense is playing solid, but the offense just can't seem to move the ball.

Week 4: Lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 13-10
    Ranked - 29
    All signs point to Freeman not only being benched in Tampa Bay, but also being kicked out of the city entirely before the week 6 trade deadline. Talk about a quick fall from grace.

Week 5: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 29
    Unlike Cleveland, Tampa Bay is clearly scrapping this season and trying to get the pieces in place for next year.

Week 6: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-20
    Ranked - 30
    Still winless in Tampa, despite the changes at quarterback. Still far too early to tell if releasing Freeman was a good move on their part.

Week 7: Lost at the Atlanta Falcons, 31-23
    Ranked - 31
    The Bucs remain winless, but showed some life in the second half of their game against the Falcons.

Week 8: Lost to the Carolina Panthers, 31-13
    Ranked - 31
    The Bucs aren't nearly as bad as the Jaguars, but I'd be surprised if this team managed to win more than two games this year.

Week 9: Lost at the Seattle Seahawks, 27-24
    Ranked - 31
    The Buccaneers would have been so much better off mentally if the Seahawks had crushed them 50-0. Instead they lose a very winnable game in dramatic overtime fashion in a way that won't easily be forgotten.

Week 10: Defeated the Miami Dolphins, 22-19
    Ranked - 31
    The Buccaneers WON!!!

Week 11: Defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 41-28
    Ranked - 29
    Now that's what I call a winning streak! Are you paying attention, Jacksonville?

Week 12: Defeated the Detroit Lions, 24-21
    Ranked - 27
    Interesting that Tampa Bay is suddenly playing like they care and want to win. Just think if they had played like that all season?

Week 13: Lost at the Carolina Panthers, 27-6
    Ranked - 29
    Well, those wins were good while they lasted.

Week 14: Defeated the Buffalo Bills, 27-6
    Ranked - 25
    Has Schiano won enough games these past few weeks to keep his job in Tampa Bay?

Week 15: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 33-14
    Ranked - 28
    The Buccaneers were simply no match for the 49ers and will be hard pressed to compete with any of the elite NFC teams.

Week 16: Lost at the St. Louis Rams, 23-13
    Ranked - 26
    No chance at the #1 draft pick or the playoffs. The Buccaneers can upset the shaky playoff seeding hopes of the Saints with a big win this weekend.

Week 17: Lost at the New Orleans Saints, 42-17

Final Ranking: 27

Tomorrow, the 2013 Minnesota Vikings...

Season Recap - 2013 Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons



Final Record: 4-12
Finished: 4th Place in the NFC South
2014 Draft Position: 6th

Preseason Ranking: 6

Week 1: Lost at the New Orleans Saints, 23-17
    Ranked - 20
    The division is still there for them if they want it, but the Falcons will have to take out the Saints when they next play them at home later this year if they hope to repeat as division champions.

Week 2: Defeated the St. Louis Rams, 31-24
    Ranked - 11
    A dominating first half performance. The Falcons need to practice playing four full quarters otherwise they will once again find themselves on the outside of the Super Bowl looking in.

Week 3: Lost at the Miami Dolphins, 27-23
    Ranked - 18
    Ouch! That last second drive by the Dolphins really hurt the Falcons. Just three games in, they are already two full games behind the Saints in the standings.

Week 4: Lost to the New England Patriots, 30-23
    Ranked - 23
    Ugh… three losses already and now they trail the Saints by three full games. The Falcons have dug themselves quite the hole to climb out of.

Week 5: Lost to the New York Jets, 30-28
    Ranked - 28
    For all intents and purposes, the Falcons' season is over. 4 games behind the Saints already in the division, they better hope they can find some magic coming out of their bye week.

Week 6: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 26
    Four games out of first place. We'll see if Atlanta remembered how to win games during their time off.

Week 7: Defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-23
    Ranked - 24
    The Falcons gained a little bit of stability with their win over the Buccaneers, but a solid run of victories will be needed before anybody will forget their early season troubles.

Week 8: Lost at the Arizona Cardinals, 27-13
    Ranked - 26
    It's hard to win football games when you can't even stay competitive with the Cardinals.

Week 9: Lost at the Carolina Panthers, 34-10
    Ranked - 26
    And with that huge loss to Carolina, we can now officially say Atlanta's season is over.

Week 10: Lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 33-10
    Ranked - 30
    Atlanta continues their freefall from near NFL glory to the cellar.

Week 11: Lost at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 41-28
    Ranked - 31
    The Falcons look nothing like the team that went deep into the playoffs last season. I have no idea what is going on with them and I doubt they have any idea either.

Week 12: Lost to the New Orleans Saints, 17-13
    Ranked - 31
    The Falcons showed some life against the Saints.

Week 13: Defeated the Buffalo Bills, 34-31
    Ranked - 28
    The Falcons now have as many wins as they had losses last year.

Week 14: Lost at the Green Bay Packers, 22-21
    Ranked - 30
    Atlanta's season just keeps getting better and better.

Week 15: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 27-26
    Ranked - 26
    Only two more weeks and Atlanta can put this miserable season behind them.

Week 16: Lost at the San Francisco 49ers, 34-24
    Ranked - 27
    No chance at the #1 draft pick or the playoffs. The Falcons are playing just to mess up Carolina's path to the Super Bowl.

Week 17: Lost to the Carolina Panthers, 21-20

Final Ranking: 26

Tomorrow, the 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers...

Season Recap - 2013 Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders



Final Record: 4-12
Finished: 4^th Place in the AFC West
2014 Draft Position: 5th

Preseason Ranking: 26

Week 1: Lost at the Indianapolis Colts, 21-17
    Ranked - 27
    Pryor showed flashes of brilliance in his first game at the helm of the Raiders. They will get better if he can improve his game and be more consistent.

Week 2: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 19-9
    Ranked - 17
    Terrelle Pryor has this team moving in the right direction and the emphasis on the running game will help the Raiders be competitive this season.

Week 3: Lost at the Denver Broncos, 37-21
    Ranked - 22
    In an alternate world, Janikowski attempts, and makes, that 68-yard field goal to end the first half on Monday night, changing the fortunes of the Raiders in 2013… They go on to upset the Broncos on another last-second field goal, win 10 of their remaining games to steal the division title, upset the Broncos, Bengals and Patriots in the playoffs and Terrelle Pryor scrambles for the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl with mere seconds left on the clock as Russell Wilson watches in dismay from the Seattle sideline!!!! But, sadly, that doesn't happen. Instead of attempting the FG, the Raiders try a lame Hail Mary attempt and their hopes for the future, much like Pryor, get sacked. More's the pity, I say.

Week 4: Lost to the Washington Redskins, 24-14
    Ranked - 26
    The Raiders continue to play up - or down - to their preseason expectations.

Week 5: Defeated the San Diego Chargers, 27-17
    Ranked - 19
    The Raiders might have something with Terrelle Pryor- a mobile quarterback with a willingness to throw the ball deep. Al Davis would be proud.

Week 6: Lost at the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-7
    Ranked - 24
    Oakland stayed with the undefeated Chiefs for a little bit, but then were just overmatched by their division rivals.

Week 7: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 26
    Oakland was on a bye week last week and I didn't even notice. That says a lot.

Week 8: Defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-18
    Ranked - 20
    Terrelle Pryor can run and throw… now if the Raiders can just get some solid personnel around him, he could take this franchise back to its glory days.

Week 9: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 49-20
    Ranked - 25
    Despite giving up a record performance by Nick Foles and the Eagles, Oakland played surprisingly well on offense. This team is not there yet, but the pieces are slowly falling into place.

Week 10: Lost at the New York Giants, 24-20
    Ranked - 26
    The potential is there, but youthful mistakes and injuries keep slowing the Raiders down.

Week 11: Defeated the Houston Texans, 28-23
    Ranked - 25
    Oakland lit up the Texans, but it may be too little, too late with them being so far behind the other AFC West powers.

Week 12: Lost to the Tennessee Titans, 23-19
    Ranked - 25
    Oakland is still one or two years away from truly challenging the better teams in the AFC.

Week 13: Lost at the Dallas Cowboys, 31-24
    Ranked - 25
    The Raiders had a golden opportunity to help Dallas lay an egg on Thanksgiving, but then collapsed in the second half.

Week 14: Lost at the New York Jets, 37-27
    Ranked - 27
    No Pryor, no Jennings… very little offense.

Week 15: Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 56-31
    Ranked - 29
    It's never a good thing to allow 5 TDs to another team, let alone another player.

Week 16: Lost at the San Diego Chargers, 26-13
    Ranked - 29
    No chance at the #1 draft pick or the playoffs. The Raiders can keep home-field advantage out of Denver's hands if they can pull off the upset to end the season.

Week 17: Lost to the Denver Broncos, 34-14

Final Ranking: 29

Season recaps continue next week with the 2013 Atlanta Falcons...

Season Recap - 2013 Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns



Final Record: 4-12
Finished: 4^th Place in the AFC North
2014 Draft Position: 4th

Preseason Ranking: 22

Week 1: Lost to the Miami Dolphins, 23-10
    Ranked - 31
    All the potential in the world, but the Browns just continue to play like, well… the Browns.

Week 2: Lost at the Baltimore Ravens, 14-6
    Ranked - 31
    For a second I thought they might pull off the upset, but then the Browns went back to playing like they always do.

Week 3: Defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 31-27
    Ranked - 23
    They are not giving up on the season! Ok, so beat somebody other than the Minnesota Vikings and prove it.

Week 4: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 17-6
    Ranked - 15
    Ok, so maybe they aren't giving up on the season after all. A win over the Bengals says far more than a win over the Vikings.

Week 5: Defeated the Buffalo Bills, 37-24
    Ranked - 10
    Yes, we get it. You're not giving up on the season.

Week 6: Lost to the Detroit Lions, 31-17
    Ranked - 17
    The Browns are still an impressive 3-1 since making the Richardson trade.

Week 7: Lost at the Green Bay Packers, 31-13
    Ranked - 22
    The Browns definitely haven't given up on the season. They were just overmatched by a much better Packers team.

Week 8: Lost at the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-17
    Ranked - 22
    Two straight road losses have knocked the Browns down a bit, but with those losses coming to the Packers and Chiefs, they weren't nearly as bad as they could have been.

Week 9: Defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 24-18
    Ranked - 19
    There is no quitting on this season! Can you even remember the last time the Browns had a winning record?

Week 10: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 19
    The Browns sat idle last week, and readied themselves for an unlikely run towards a wild card spot.

Week 11: Lost at the Cincinnati Bengals, 41-20
    Ranked - 23
    Cleveland stumbled in Cincinnati, but their season is far from over.

Week 12: Lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-11
    Ranked - 24
    Wow, Josh Gordan! An impressive performance on an otherwise humbling day for the Browns.

Week 13: Lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 32-28
    Ranked - 26
    Not sure what to make of the Browns these days. They look like they are both trying and not trying.

Week 14: Lost at the New England Patriots, 27-26
    Ranked - 24
    That letdown in New England last week turned a potential signature win for the franchise into one of the worst losses in regular season history.

Week 15: Lost to the Chicago Bears, 38-31
    Ranked - 27
    You keep expecting the Browns to win with their defense, but they somehow keep losing games.

Week 16: Lost at the New York Jets, 24-13
    Ranked - 28
    No chance at the #1 draft pick or the playoffs. The Browns have a great opportunity to eliminate the Steelers from playoff consideration.

Week 17: Lost at the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-7

Final Ranking: 28

Tomorrow, the 2013 Oakland Raiders...

Season Recap - 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars



Final Record: 4-12
Finished: 3^rd Place in the AFC South
2014 Draft Position: 3rd

Preseason Ranking: 31

Week 1: Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 28-2
    Ranked - 32
    Just when you think the Jaguars couldn't possibly get any worse, they open up the season by scoring nothing more than a safety before the home crowd. This might end up being a very long season for the Jaguars and their two faithful fans. They should just sign Tebow and bring him back home. It's not like they have anything to lose at this point.

Week 2: Lost at the Oakland Raiders, 19-9
    Ranked - 32
    The Jaguars show no signs of improving and injuries will only make them worse.

Week 3: Lost at the Seattle Seahawks, 45-17
    Ranked - 32
    Seriously, Jacksonville. Just bring Tebow in now. There are questions at quarterback and the only way you can energize fans to actually want to come see the Jaguars lose is if Tim Tebow is on the roster. Sure, it may be a failed experiment, but what has worked for you lately?

Week 4: Lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 37-3
    Ranked - 32
    This team is terrible. No other way to say it. No reason to sugarcoat it either.

Week 5: Lost at the St. Louis Rams, 34-20
    Ranked - 32
    Somehow I don't think a trip to Denver is what Jacksonville needs right now. Are they on pace to go 0-16? I don't know, but I'd take the 0-16 Lions from a few years back over these guys, give you the points and still feel confident that the Jaguars would remain defeated.

Week 6: Lost at the Denver Broncos, 35-19
    Ranked - 32
    The Jaguars beat the biggest spread in NFL history! At least they have that going for them.

Week 7: Lost to the San Diego Chargers, 24-6
    Ranked - 32
    The Jaguars continue to play terrible football. It's as if they try for a half, then give up and just try and get the game over as soon as possible.

Week 8: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 42-10
    Ranked - 32
    Nothing says we haven't quit on the season like losing a game 42-10… at home.

Week 9: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 32
    If any team needed a bye week, it was the 2013 Jacksonvile Jaguars. Now we see if the rest did them any good or just strengthen their resolve to run the table and finish 0-16.

Week 10: Defeated the Tennessee Titans, 29-27
    Ranked - 32
    The Jaguars WON!!!

Week 11: Lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 27-14
    Ranked - 32
    I guess a winning streak was too much to ask for.

Week 12: Defeated the Houston Texans, 13-6
    Ranked - 30
    Two wins and the Jaguars are on the move! At least, I'm sure, Maurice Jones-Drew hopes to be on the move once the offseason gets here.

Week 13: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 32-28
    Ranked - 31
    The Jaguars have three wins… something I never would have thought possible a month ago.

Week 14: Defeated the Houston Texans, 27-20
    Ranked - 26
    4 wins, Jacksonville? Are you kidding me? Where was that enthusiasm for victories early in the season?

Week 15: Lost to the Buffalo Bills, 27-20
    Ranked - 30
    After an impressive 3-game winning streak, the Jaguars have fallen back down to earth.

Week 16: Lost to the Tennessee Titans, 20-16
    Ranked - 30
    No chance at the #1 draft pick or the playoffs. The Jaguars can impact the playoffs by beating the Colts and preventing them from trying to sneak into the playoffs with a first-round bye.

Week 17: Lost at the Indianapolis Colts, 30-10

Final Ranking: 30

Tomorrow, the 2013 Cleveland Browns...

Season Recap - 2013 Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins



Final Record: 3-13
Finished: 4^th Place in the NFC East
2014 Draft Position: 2nd (Pick Traded to the St. Louis Rams)

Preseason Ranking: 10

Week 1: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 33-27
    Ranked - 23
    RGIII is back! And very, very rusty… The Redskins showed what they could do in the second half against the Eagles, now they just have to get their football legs back under them so they can play a full game.

Week 2: Lost at the Green Bay Packers, 38-20
    Ranked - 29
    RGIII and the offense need to figure out how to play in the first half.

Week 3: Lost to the Detroit Lions, 27-20
    Ranked - 28
    Maybe RGIII shouldn't have rushed his return. The Redskins may still be 0-3, but at least they wouldn't be taking as much heat as they are now.

Week 4: Defeated the Oakland Raiders, 24-14
    Ranked - 25
    A little bit of positivity for the Redskins… but a win over the Raiders is not exactly worth writing home to your mother about.

Week 5: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 27
    RGIII should be a little more healed after the bye, but a Sunday night game against Dallas will test how rusty he still is.

Week 6: Lost at the Dallas Cowboys, 31-16
    Ranked - 27
    The Redskins had their moments on Sunday night, but they were outclassed by the Cowboys in almost every facet of the game.

Week 7: Defeated the Chicago Bears, 45-41
    Ranked - 25
    Washington wins a wild one over the Bears, but their offense can't score 45 points every week. The defense has to play better, especially since Chicago was without their starting quarterback for most of the game.

Week 8: Lost at the Denver Broncos, 45-21
    Ranked - 25
    The Redskins were all primed for the major upset and then Peyton Manning happened.

Week 9: Defeated the San Diego Chargers, 30-24
    Ranked - 23
    A big win in overtime could help propel the Redskins forward in a weak NFC East division.

Week 10: Lost at the Minnesota Vikings, 34-27
    Ranked - 25
    With the NFC East up for grabs, the Redskins can't afford to blow two-touchdown leads against inferior opponents.

Week 11: Lost at the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-16
    Ranked - 27
    The Redskins let an excellent chance to get back in the NFC East race get away from them.

Week 12: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 27-6
    Ranked - 28
    RGIII just isn't the same and the Redskins are doing little to help him gain his confidence back.

Week 13: Lost to the New York Giants, 24-17
    Ranked - 30
    RGIII's sophomore slump continues.

Week 14: Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 45-10
    Ranked - 31
    Rumor is that RGIII will be benched and deactivated in favor of Kirk Cousins this week… and the fun in Washington continues.

Week 15: Lost at the Atlanta Falcons, 27-26
    Ranked - 31
    Kirk Cousins showed some promise, but RG III is still the future of this team, whether Mike Shanahan likes it or not.

Week 16: Lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-23
    Ranked - 31
    The Redskins may possibly have a shot at the #1 draft pick in 2014, if the Texans win and they lose this weekend.

Week 17: Lost at the New York Giants, 20-6

Final Ranking: 31

Tomorrow, the 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars...

Season Recap - 2013 Houston Texans

Houston Texans



Final Record: 2-14
Finished: 4^th Place in the AFC South
2014 Draft Position: 1st

Preseason Ranking: 4

Week 1: Defeated the San Diego Chargers, 31-28
    Ranked - 5
    Their season could have collapsed in San Diego on Monday, but they rallied and now have the confidence to believe they can win no matter what the odds are against them.

Week 2: Defeated the Tennessee Titans, 30-24
    Ranked - 4
    The Texans are trying to give their fans a heart-attack. Two wins and an undefeated record, but they could easily be 0-2 now wondering what happened to their season.

Week 3: Lost at the Baltimore Ravens, 30-9
    Ranked - 14
    The Texans have been hit or miss so far this year. That doesn't translate to another playoff appearance. That translates to a disappointing 8-8 season.

Week 4: Lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 23-20
    Ranked - 16
    If this is their year, the Texans certainly are not playing like it.

Week 5: Lost at the San Francisco 49ers, 34-3
    Ranked - 23
    So much for a Texans-Falcons Super Bowl… Houston is all but cooked and if they can't figure out their quarterback issues, they will definitely miss their short window of opportunity to be something more than an underachieving team.

Week 6: Lost to the St. Louis Rams, 38-13
    Ranked - 25
    This team is falling quickly… Wonder what the record is for most consecutive games with a thrown Pick-6 is?

Week 7: Lost at the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-16
    Ranked - 28
    And the news just keeps getting worse and worse for the Texans.

Week 8: BYE WEEK
    Ranked - 28
    Has the much-needed bye week helped the Texans regroup for the second half of the season?

Week 9: Lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24
    Ranked - 27
    Statistically speaking, the Texans aren't all that bad. They're 5-3 and in Wild Card position in Creative Misfortune's "If Real Football Used Fantasy Scoring…" standings. Injuries and unlucky breaks have ruined their season.

Week 10: Lost at the Arizona Cardinals, 27-24
    Ranked - 29
    Statiscally, the Texans aren't nearly as bad as their 2-7 record indicates. Losing Foster for the season, however, could change all of that.

Week 11: Lost to the Oakland Raiders, 28-23
    Ranked - 28
    Case Keenum was benched in favor of Matt Schaub… is there a quarterback controversy in Houston? Hard to care when the team is playing so poorly.

Week 12: Lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 13-6
    Ranked - 32
    The Texans have completely missed their playoff window. Blow them up now and start over in 2014.

Week 13: Lost to the New England Patriots, 34-31
    Ranked - 32
    The Texans now control their own destiny for determining who gets the #1 overall draft pick in 2014.

Week 14: Lost at the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20
    Ranked - 32
    Things must be pretty bad in Houston behind the scenes if they fired Coach Kubiak mid-season. Any new worthwhile coach should be able to have this talented roster back up on its feet in no time.

Week 15: Lost at the Indianapolis Colts, 25-3
    Ranked - 32
    The Texans have shut things down and are just playing for 2014 at this point.

Week 16: Lost to the Denver Broncos, 37-13
    Ranked - 32
    The Texans have the inside track on the #1 draft pick for 2014.

Week 17: Lost at the Tennessee Titans, 16-10

Final Ranking: 32

Tomorrow, the 2013 Washington Redskins...

Super Bowl XLVIII

Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks!

For the first time since the late 70's, Seattle has a championship team to cheer about! How nice for Seahawks fans everywhere.


Team season recaps start on Monday, February 10th. Relive the glory (or misfortune) of your favorite team's 2013 campaign in the next few weeks...