Not every player can have the kind of season currently being enjoyed by Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, two widely debated quarterbacks who are now in the midst of MVP-type seasons for undefeated teams.
Some have hit the midpoint mark of the 2015 season with still much to prove in the second half.
Here are 10 players with the most to prove over the final eight weeks:
QB Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
His offensive coordinator was fired after less than 1.5 seasons. Then the general manager that drafted him first overall was sent packing. Stafford still has his head coach and the comfort of being a talented quarterback in a league with so few of them, but his seat is getting hotter and hotter. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Stafford’s future in Detroit is “very much in doubt” following this season.
QB Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Rock bottom is getting benched in favor for Blaine Gabbert. While it seems inevitable that Gabbert will hand the job back to Kaepernick at some point this season, the damage has already been done. Less than 18 months after signing a $100 million contract, Kaepernick is now in a position where he needs to rebuild his value as an NFL quarterback. He’ll have suitors if the 49ers want to move him, but he needs to show some signs of life in the second half.
QB Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles
Chip Kelly’s offense hasn’t exactly revitalized Bradford, who’s thrown 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. His passer rating of 79.5 currently ranks 28th among qualified quarterbacks. Thanks to an inconsistent offense led by Kelly’s hand-picked signal caller, the Eagles are 4-4 and in second place in the NFC East. Philadelphia will likely need Bradford to be much better over the final eight games for the Eagles to jump the New York Giants in the standings.
RB Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
After nine weeks, Lacy ranks 37th among running backs in rushing yards. He’s on pace for just over 600 yards, and he currently has more fumbles (three) than touchdowns (two). The Packers are floundering on offense, in part due to Lacy’s inability to get anything going in the running game. Injuries have been an issue, but Green Bay will need its top running back healthy and productive once the weather turns. Lacy still has time to get a very disappointing season back on track.
RB Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers
Gordon’s early struggles as a rookie are being compounded by fellow first-year back Todd Gurley, who continues to light the NFL on fire. The adjustment has been a much bigger one for San Diego’s first-round pick. Through nine games, Gordon is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry with five fumbles. The Chargers are a lost cause at 2-7, so it’s possible Gordon will be given a big chance to get his feet under him during the final seven games.
WR Mike Wallace, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings thought they were getting a difference-making deep threat when they acquired Wallace from Miami this offseason. It hasn’t happened. The veteran speedster has just one catch over 20 yards and one score, and now he’s playing second fiddle to rookie Stefon Diggs. Wallace and Teddy Bridgewater simply haven’t clicked in the passing game. Over the last two games, Wallace has caught just one of 10 targets for four yards. He’s on pace for less than 600 yards. The Vikings’ 31st ranked passing game needs the connection to come alive in the second half.
WR Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers
Despite a very slow start, Carolina’s second-round pick should have an opportunity to become Cam Newton’s go-to receiver in the second half. Funchess caught a career-high three passes for 71 yards and his first career touchdown against the Packers last Sunday, providing a glimmer of hope for his rookie season. If he can provide something consistent at receiver, the Panthers will have all the elements required for a deep playoff run.
DE Greg Hardy, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys took a huge risk on Hardy, especially in the public relations department. He has four sacks in four games, but the Dallas pass rush hasn’t been good enough to overcome the injuries on offense and talent deficiencies on defense. For the Cowboys to survive until Tony Romo returns from a broken collarbone, Hardy must be a dominant force down the stretch. He’s capable, even if no one outside Dallas is rooting for him to do so.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants
A July 4th fireworks accident left JPP with a mangled hand. He has finally returned to the football field, but it’s still unclear what kind of player he’ll be with only one healthy hand. The Giants really need him to be a game-changing player at defensive end. He could single-handedly (no pun intended) turn New York into a legitimate contender. Or, he could suffer over the second half and drain the remaining value he has for free agency next spring.
CB Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
The 2015 season has been mostly a disaster for Haden. The once elite cornerback been beat up both injury-wise and on the field. Through five games, Haden has allowed four touchdown passes, and opposing quarterbacks have a perfect passer rating when targeting him. Now, it’s unknown how long his latest concussion will keep him out. He missed two games with a head injury before leaving his first game back with a second.