Toronto Star Referrer

NFL analysis: Several teams are entering the danger zone very early

BARRY WILNER

While it’s too early to write off most NFL teams’ seasons, there is plenty of angst across the lower ends of the standings.

Such projected contenders as the Colts, Browns, Vikings, Steelers, Seahawks and Patriots have almost wiggled out of whatever wiggle room they might have possessed. Who has it toughest is difficult to decipher.

A look at the precipices some NFL teams are teetering at:

COLTS

Starting 0-3 and 2-4 with your newly acquired quarterback struggling and playing hurt, your best receiver unable to stay healthy, and your lauded defence showing inconsistency is no way to contend. Not even in the mediocre AFC South.

Sure, they have Jacksonville twice, Houston and the Jets ahead, but they’ll have to beat some good teams to turn it around. They’ll also face Tennessee, Buffalo, Arizona and Las Vegas. Running back Jonathan Taylor looks like a star.

PATRIOTS

The Patriots play opponents close, but can’t close. Despite Mac Jones being the most accomplished thus far of the six starting rookie quarterbacks, this is a faulty roster with issues on virtually every unit. The Patriots head into Sunday’s game with the Jets ranked 27th in rushing offence, 26th in total offence, 24th in points per game and 19th in passing offence. They also have 11 giveaways; only Kansas City (14) and Jacksonville (12) turned over the ball more through six weeks.

Yes, the Vikings have won their last two, reversing a trend of folding in crunch time. But they could get crunched over the next month while facing Dallas, Baltimore, the L.A. Chargers and Green Bay following their bye. The offence is percolating, particularly when operating with no huddle, but this defence won’t remind many of the Purple People Eaters. That they seem to have a better feel for tight situations could help them escape the danger zone.

PITTSBURGH

Through the Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh, we’ve become accustomed to the Steelers finding ways to compete. While a rebuild in Steel City is inevitable and probably imminent, there seems to be enough talent and leadership for them to remain viable in 2021. There also are enough holes, particularly on both lines and in the secondary, to offset further progress. And this isn’t vintage Big Ben at age 39. Injuries also have been a major factor for Pittsburgh, which returns from its bye on Halloween with a visit to the equally banged-up Browns. That game will say plenty about both teams.

CLEVELAND

If coach Kevin Stefanski, who did such a masterful job last season, is willing to stick with the throwback mode — run, run and run some more, while playing solid defence — Cleveland could ride that old-style football to another playoff berth. The Browns have a strong pass rush, too. What they don’t appear to have is the collective calm in tight spots nor the on-field leadership that can lift teams from underachievement to success. There’s lots of talent on the roster, albeit many of those players are hobbled right now. There are even more question marks about the Browns.

SEATTLE

This is one is quite simple. The NFC West is a monster, and the Seahawks already have lost to the Rams. Without quarterback Russell Wilson, and with a defence that resembles a Legion of Doom, the Seahawks are in serious trouble of not getting to the post-season for the first time since 2017 and second since 2011. They also don’t have that home-field edge that was so big for the past decade, and that needs to change quickly.

SPORTS

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2021-10-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

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