While the 2015 NFL season is only at the quarter mark, the first four weeks have already provided plenty of surprises.
We’ve witnessed numerous unexpected starts and unlikely comebacks during this action-packed start to the season.
Here are the the top 10 so far:
The 4-0 Atlanta Falcons
What a difference one year makes. The Falcons won just six games in 2014, yet they’re off to a perfect start this season. Atlanta has been dominant offensively (averaging 34.2 points per game) and just good enough defensively, thanks mostly to the influence of Dan Quinn—the Seahawks’ former defensive coordinator. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones have been a dynamic combination, running back Devonta Freeman has scored seven rushing touchdowns and the Falcons defense has forced at least one takeaway in all four games. Given Atlanta’s upcoming schedule, it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Falcons to be a perfect 9-0 heading into the team’s Week 10 bye.
The 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles
Head coach Chip Kelly remade the Eagles in his own image this offseason, jettisoning stalwarts such as Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and Evan Mathis in favor of Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Kiko Alonso. The early returns have been underwhelming, to say the least. The one-win Eagles rank in the bottom third of the NFL in yards gained (29th), points scored (23rd), turnovers (25th) and yards allowed (21st). A year after finishing third in the NFL in scoring at 29.6 points per game, Philadelphia hasn’t finished a game with more than 24 in 2015, while also allowing at least 20 in three of four. Worst of all, the Eagles currently find themselves in last place in the lowly NFC East, a division without a team over. 500.
Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback situation
Just as everyone expected, the Colts are 1-2 in games started by Andrew Luck and 2-0 with 40-year-old veteran Matt Hasselbeck under center. Luck threw seven interceptions with a pedestrian passer rating of 65.1 during his three starts, while Hasselbeck has all but saved Indianapolis’ season with three touchdowns and a 95.1 passer rating in back-to-back wins with Luck nursing a shoulder injury. Still, to make a Super Bowl run, the Colts need Luck to get healthy and become the MVP candidate many believed him to be before the start of the 2015 season.
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 13: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at Soldier Field on September 13, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Revival of James Jones
Released by the Oakland Raiders back in May and waived by the New York Giants at final cuts this summer, Jones could have been looking at the end of his NFL career. Instead, the stars aligned and saved it. After losing Jordy Nelson to a torn ACL, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were in need of a receiver capable of coming in and playing right away. Insert Jones, a 2007 draft pick by the team and one of Rodgers’ former favorite targets. Jones has since transitioned seamlessly into the Green Bay offense, catching 17 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns during the first four games. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, especially when Rodgers is involved.
Andy Dalton’s red-hot start
The “Red Rifle” has always been at his best during September, but no one saw his incredible start coming. Through four games, Dalton has thrown nine touchdowns and just one interception, and his 123.0 passer rating trails only Aaron Rodgers for the NFL lead. While averaging almost 300 passing yards per game and 10.2 yards per attempt, Dalton hasn’t finished a game with a passer rating under 115.0. As a result, the Bengals are a perfect 4-0 and the class of the AFC North. The next three weeks—which feature games against Seattle, Buffalo and Pittsburgh—figure to put Dalton’s blazing start to the test.
What happened to the Miami Dolphins’ pass rush?
What do you get when you add Ndamukong Suh—the game’s most disruptive interior player—to a defensive line featuring Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon? Apparently, a pass rush capable of just one sack in four games. Suh has been very good for Miami, but neither Wake nor Vernon—who combined for 18 sacks in 2014—has taken down a quarterback so far this season. The faults of the defensive line were at least partially to blame for the firing of Joe Philbin, who led the Dolphins to a disappointing 1-3 start. It’s possible no single position group—on offense or defense—has been as underwhelming in 2015 as Miami’s high-priced defensive line.
during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 27, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.
Fitz’s comeback
Left for dead by some after three straight underwhelming seasons, Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald is now on pace for possibly the best year of his fabled career. He has 30 catches for 432 yards and five scores through four games, putting him on track for almost 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns. Credit the healthy return of quarterback Carson Palmer, who has targeted Fitzgerald at least eight times in every game this season. Also credit the veteran receiver’s transformation. Once a player who dominated on the outside, Fitzgerald is now one of the game’s best slot receivers. He’s ranked in the top six in receptions (sixth), yards (fourth), touchdowns (first), 20-yard catches (first) and first downs (third). Fitz is back.
Terrific Tyrod Taylor
A career backup, Taylor won the starting quarterback job in Buffalo just two weeks before the season started and hasn’t looked back. The Bills are 2-2, but Taylor has been far better than expected. The 26-year-old has completed 71.7 percent of his passes, averaged 8.2 yards per attempt and thrown eight touchdowns. His passer rating of 104.5 ranks ninth in the NFL after four weeks, and his 111 rushing yards are the fourth most by a quarterback. Not every week will be pretty (see last Sunday vs. the Giants), but it finally looks like the Bills have a difference-making player at the quarterback position. Taylor is currently on pace to score 36 total touchdowns.
The emergence of Josh Norman
The early leader for Defensive Player of the Year is Norman, who has four interceptions and a forced fumble to start the 2015 season. Of his four picks, two were returned for touchdowns, and a third saved a win for the Panthers against the Saints. Through four games, opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 23.1 when targeting Norman. Not bad for a former fifth-round pick. Could Norman be the next Richard Sherman? He certainly has the talent and swagger of Seattle’s All-Pro cornerback.
Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston proving the analysts wrong
Many believed Marcus Mariota would need time to adjust to the pro game, while Jameis Winston would enter the league ready to hit the ground running. So far, the No. 2 overall pick has been the more polished quarterback. Winston has thrown seven interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Mariota has eight touchdown passes and a passer rating of 110.3. No grand assumptions can be made after just a handful of games. Winston will get better, and defenses will adjust to Mariota. Still, few expected such a wide gap between the two quarterbacks this early in their pro careers.