32. Cincinnati Bengals
(1-12. Last week: 31)
The switch from Ryan Finley to Andy Dalton paid positive dividends for the Bengals for exactly one week in a 22-6 Week 13 win over the Jets. But Dalton regressed to his level on Sunday in a 27-19 loss to the Browns, completing 22 of 38 passes for 262 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Dalton was his usual self — folding under pressure too often, missing tight-window throws and generally failing to lead his offense at a required level. At this point, the Bengals are just playing out the string, and the best thing that could happen to them would be to land LSU’s Joe Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 draft. This is a team in desperate need of a rebuild down to the studs, and quarterback is the required place to start.
31. New York Giants
(3-10. Last week: 32)
Daniel Jones’ high ankle sprain brought Eli Manning back onto the field for the first time since he was benched after the second week of the 2019 season, and for one half of football, it looked like more than a farewell tour. Manning completed 11 of 19 passes for 179 yards and two touchdown passes to rookie receiver Darius Slayton, and the Giants had a 17-3 halftime lead against a desperate Eagles team on Monday night. The second half and overtime were different stories — though Philly’s defense was awful in the first half, they became less cautious against Manning as the game went on, and it paid off, as the Giants never found the end zone again. Jones’ injury will keep him out 2-4 weeks, so we may see more of Manning down the stretch as the Giants face the Dolphins, Redskins, and the Eagles again to mercifully end the season.
30. Washington Redskins
(3-10. Last week: 29)
Dwayne Haskins has endured a tough rookie season, but his actual toughness is something his NFL teammates are unlikely to question. The Redskins played the Packers tougher than expected in a 20-15 loss, and Haskins played through a sprained ankle to complete 16 of 27 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown catch by fellow rookie and former Ohio State teammate Terry McLaurin might be the best reception of the NFL season.
WHAT. A. CATCH. @TheTerry_25 #WASvsGB @budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/epcRFZQTB8
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) December 8, 2019
“There was no way I was coming out of that game,” Haskins said after the loss. “I had to battle through it. It’s a tough injury, but I’ll be all right.”
Haskins has a way to go when it comes to reading coverages and getting the ball to the right receiver most of the time, but it’s a certainty that he gained the respect of the locker room. That’s just as important for any quarterback.
29. Miami Dolphins
(3-10. Last week: 27)
For the second straight week, kicker Jason Sanders was Miami’s star. Last week, in a 37-31 win over the Eagles, Sanders caught a 1-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal. There were no fake field goals in Week 14 against the Jets — instead, Sanders kicked seven of the real ones as the Dolphins failed to score a touchdown. Head coach Brian Flores was ticked off about a pass interference call on cornerback Nik Needham with less than a minute left in the game. There was no call on the field, but the booth overturned the no-call. (Needham did pull on the right shoulder of receiver Vyncint Smith before the ball arrived) was set. This allowed Jets kicker Sam Ficken to boot the 44-yard game-winner as time expired. One can understand Flores’ frustration in the moment, but the legitimacy of the penalty aside, seven field goals tell their own story.
28. Detroit Lions
(3-9-1. Last week: 26)
It’s difficult to find anything remarkable about the Lions at this point of the season. In their 20-7 loss to the Vikings on Sunday, Detroit failed to hold a lead for the first time in 2019, although given their 3-9-1 record, that’s more of a morbid curiosity than anything else. Rookie quarterback David Blough, who unexpectedly played well against the Bears defense on Thanksgiving, fell back to earth with 24 completions in 40 attempts for 205 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Head coach Matt Patricia has said his team is better than its record, but especially on defense, that really doesn’t wash. Patricia had better keep his talking points rolling, though — he’s might be interviewing for a new job this offseason.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
(4-9. Last week: 21)
With their 45-10 loss to the Chargers on Sunday, the Jaguars became the first team since the 1986 Buccaneers to lose five consecutive games by at least 17 points. They’ve been outscored 174-57 in that span, and nothing about the Jaguars seems to be working right now. The switch from Nick Foles back to Gardner Minshew made sense, as Minshew is the better quarterback. But Minshew was Captain Checkdown in this game, completing 24 of 37 passes for just 167 yards and a touchdown. The lack of big plays for an offense that used to rely on them is mystifying, as are the efforts of a defense that has far more talent than actual results on the field. Head coach Doug Marrone appears to be one of many coaches who will be looking for a different home this offseason.
26. Arizona Cardinals
(3-9-1. Last week: 24)
There are times when Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray looks like an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate — especially when he moves from the pocket and threatens as a runner or squares his shoulders to make an exceptional downfield throw. There are other times when Murray looks very much like a rookie still finding his way — especially when he gets frenetic in the pocket and makes ill-advised decisions. There was enough of both aspects in Arizona’s 23-17 loss to the Steelers. Murray made some impressive plays and threw for two touchdowns. But he also struggled with Pittsburgh’s disguised coverages and threw three picks. Arizona’s defense gives Murray no margin for error, and neither has its run game in recent weeks. Murray obviously has enough on the ball to become a top quarterback over time. In the short term, he’s just going to have to take his lumps and learn his lessons.
25. Atlanta Falcons
(4-9. Last week: 28)
The Falcons rolled over the Panthers on Sunday with a 40-20 win, but it really cost them in another regard. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley was lost for the rest of the season with an abdominal injury, and cornerback Desmond Trufant suffered a similar fate with a broken forearm. Matt Ryan became the 10th quarterback in NFL history to top the 50,000-yard mark, and undrafted rookie Olamide Zaccheaus made his first NFL touchdown catch special with a 93-yard play. Those are small things in the context of a season in which the Falcons have underwhelmed in all possible areas — but a little bit of a balm before what likely will be a tumultuous offseason.