D2 Sports November 2015
The Prowler
Local NFL fans keep hope alive for their favorite teams Ups and downs have been recorded in the NFL this year, particularly when it comes to regional favorites. By Brady Shearer
Assistant Sports Editor
As the 2015 National Football League reaches its halfway point in the season, many ups and downs have been shaking the pride of fans. Despite the ugly, some teams have been flourishing. Tom Brady has been leading the New England Patriots’ offense through an unstoppable season. By throwing touchdowns to his favorite target Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski, Brady shows chemistry that’s hard to come by in the NFL these days. Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals have been hot, using the perfect combination of running and passing to make their opponents quickly regret entering the game with hopes of a victory. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard show week in and week out why they’re the best running-back tandem in the NFL, with AJ Green also catching touchdown passes like it’s all he knows how to do. The Carolina Panthers have been winning games like they can’t lose, using their stout defense and dangerous quarterback Cam Newton. Combine this with the most dominant run game in the NFL, with 144.7 rushing yards
per game, and you will understand the undefeated success of the Panthers. Unfortunately, not all teams have been so productive this season. Most fans who reside in the York area follow these six teams: the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Giants or the Baltimore Ravens. While all of these teams claim to have some of the best players in the NFL, they haven’t had much luck on the Photo by MCT Campus field. N ew York Giants’ Victor Cruz stiff-arms Philadelphia Eagles’ Bradley Fletcher during the second quarter in Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Eagles Pennsylvania, on Sunday. came into the season talking up their high-powered, fastpaced offense, but their yearly vision, where crazier things with quarterback Eli Manning, start winning games again playoff dreams have quickly have happened. who recently threw the ball for and improve their record of faded. Despite acquiring a The Washington Redskins six touchdowns against the 6-4. beast of a running-back in don’t have as much talent as Saints. Although the Giants Now, last and least, yes Demarco Murray, the Eagles these other teams and their have been productive offen- least, the Baltimore Ravens. have not figured out how to record shows it (4-5). Their sively, their defense has been The Ravens’ have endured a win games, landing them a running game has been one absolutely horrendous. Giv- dreadful season, only winning losing record of 4-5. Although of the worst in the NFL, av- ing up the most passing yards two games. Although all of their season is looking bleak, eraging under 100 yards per and total yards to teams in the their losses have been within it is important to realize that game. Given this statistic, the NFL. If the Giants are able to a touchdown or less, the Rathey are part of the NFC East Redskins have had to rely on solidify their defensive woes, vens just haven’t been giving Division, where anything can the inconsistent performance the playoffs are an attainable loyal fans much to cling to. happen. of quarterback Kirk Cousins. goal come December. The wide-receiver corps The Dallas Cowboys Unfortunately for the The Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore is weak and to started the season off right, Redskins, the running game started their season off rocky make matters worse, their winning their first two games is necessary to have success and continue to face issues as best receiver, Steve Smith Sr., in a row and securing first in the passing game, showing the season progresses. When is out for the season. But hey, place in the NFC East. But little promise for the rest of they’re healthy, the Steelers at least they beat the Steelers, suddenly, disaster struck and their season. can take on just about any right? they lost their two best play- The New York Giants team in the NFL, but health Despite the inconsistency ers: starting quarterback Tony lead the NFC East, barely, has been an issue in the steel that the fans of these teams Romo and one of the NFL’s and boast one of the best city. Losing quarterback Ben have been having nightmares best wide-receivers, Dez Bry- wide-receivers eighth rookie Roethlisberger to an MCL about, these teams still offer ant. Ever since injury set its sensation Odell Beckham Jr, sprain set them back and valuable things to the people curse on Dallas, the Cowboys whom most know now by, they have since lost one the of York. have certainly seen better “the Catch.” Last year, Beck- NFL’s greatest running-backs, From families coming todays, as they lost their next ham Jr. snagged arguably one Le’Veon Bell to a torn MCL. gether in the living room to five games in a row. Many of the best catches in NFL his- With Roethlisberger back watch the Sunday game, to would think the Cowboys are tory during a game against and healthy, back-up running- the upset win that no one saw out of playoff contention, (and the Cowboys. back DeAngelo Williams and coming, following the next most would be right), but the The Giants have had ma- top-notch receiver Antonio day’s bragging rights. NFC East is a mysterious di- jor success passing the ball Brown, expect the Steelers to