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S_NFL_TeeteringTeams.sPubDate = "10/31/2008 4:58:13 PM GMT";
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S_NFL_TeeteringTeams.appHeader = "Ten teetering teams in the NFL";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams.appFooter = "By Tom Curran";
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S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Cleveland Browns","Derek Anderson","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Teetering%20Teams/browns_83445869.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Sam Greenwood", "Getty Images", "358", "266", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Cleveland Browns
(3-4, 3rd in the AFC North)
What’s The Problem?
The Browns offense can’t get out of its own way. Quarterback Derek Anderson’s completing 49.5 percent of his passes. In an era where even the most uneven performers complete no less than 55 percent, that stat tells you quite a lot.
Can They Fix It?
Yes. This week’s going to be tough because Baltimore’s coming to town, but Cleveland plays four of its next five at home, and the offense has had bouts of effectiveness recently in winning three out of four.
Long-Term Prognosis
They are not winning the AFC North. They are in the mix for one of two AFC Wild Cards. Even though they have that run of games at home, they also have to play Tennessee, Philly and Pittsburgh in December. Not gonna work out.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Indianapolis Colts","Bob Sanders","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Teetering%20Teams/colts_82707890.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Andy Lyons", "Getty Images", "358", "208", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Indianapolis Colts
(3-4, T-2nd in the AFC South)
What’s The Problem?
Injuries. And the inconsistency that arises as a result of them. Between dings on the offensive line, damage to skill position guys like Joseph Addai and Dallas Clark and the five-week loss of safety Bob Sanders, the guts have been ripped out of Indy’s team. They can’t run (26th in rushing yards) and can’t stop the run (32nd in rushing yards allowed). Bad combo.
Can They Fix It?
No. Some teams are able to chameleon their way through things by changing schemes and game plans (New England). Indy does what it does come hell or high water. And both hell and high water have struck. When you’re that ineffective on the ground offensively and defensively, you’re toast.
Long-Term Prognosis
Not this time. They host New England and play at Pittsburgh in the next two weeks. They also play at San Diego, Cleveland and Jacksonville. And they have Tennessee in the season’s final game (although that game may mean nothing to the Titans). They are too damaged to fix it.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Jacksonville Jaguars","Rashean Mathis, left, and Reggie Nelson","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Teetering%20Teams/jaguars_83464864.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Sam Greenwood", "Getty Images", "358", "229", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Jacksonville Jaguars
(3-4, T-2nd in AFC South)
What’s The Problem?
Rampant inconsistency. Dinged up offensive line. Surprisingly soft on defense. Difficult early-season schedule.
Can They Fix It?
They’re a better bet to emerge in the AFC South than the Colts. The reason? They play some horrible teams between now and the end of the season, including both the Lions and Bengals. As long as Maurice Jones-Drew stays healthy, they’re going to be fine.
Long-Term Prognosis
Good. The last two games of their season – hosting Indy and visiting Baltimore – will almost certainly have a huge impact on the entire AFC playoff picture, but the offensive combination of Garrard and Jones-Drew puts them in good hands.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","New York Jets","Brett Favre","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Teetering%20Teams/Favre_83348672.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jed Jacobsohn", "Getty Images", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "New York Jets
(4-3, 3rd in the AFC East)
What’s The Problem?
The quarterback makes some really stupid decisions. Brett Favre has three touchdowns and seven picks in the Jets' last three games. And those were against the Chiefs, Raiders and Bengals (combined record of 3-19). Talk about propping up the opponents.
Can They Fix It?
Yes. Although Favre’s non-verbals keep communicating that he’s about to punch out mentally, at some point his competitive instinct should kick in and he’ll realize that the best way to make a point to the NFL about his ability isn’t throwing touchdowns but leading his new team to wins. If and when light dawns on his buzzcut head, look out.
Long-Term Prognosis
Not so hot. We will find out very quickly if the Jets are going to be alive for the holidays. They’re at Buffalo, New England and Tennessee the next three weeks, and they host the suddenly pesky Rams, which is just the kind of team that Favre will faceplant against.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","San Diego Chargers","LaDainian Tomlinson","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/SNF/Chargers/081008_Tomlinson.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Denis Poroy", "AP", "291", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "San Diego Chargers
(3-5, 2nd in the AFC West)
What’s The Problem?
Well, San Diego’s hoping ex-defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell was the problem. The Chargers whipped him overboard this week after their defense once again got their bloody heads handed to them in London. San Diego is 32nd in passing yards allowed per game, 28th in yards allowed, 32nd in first downs allowed ... you get the point.
Can They Fix It?
In the Chargers’ case, the woeful pass defense can be attributed just as much to the lack of pass rush as it can to bad work in the secondary. That’s what happens when you lose a player like Shawne Merriman for the season. San Diego isn’t going to be able to magically improve on defense. They’re on pace for 34 sacks. Two years ago they had 61. Last year they had 42. What they have to do is get more efficient offensively and hope LaDainian Tomlinson runs for more than the 3.9 yards per carry he’s getting now. They can do that.
Long-Term Prognosis
In a normal situation, you’d figure they have to go 6-2 the rest of the way to even have a prayer. But, being in the AFC West changes things. They are still in hailing distance of the 4-3 Broncos, and Denver is slipping. Plus they play four of their next five games at home. They should survive. ";
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S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Dallas Cowboys","Wade Phillips","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Season%20Slide%20show/Week%20eight/081026_Wade-Phillips.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Lm Otero", "AP", "250", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Dallas Cowboys
(5-3, 3rd in the NFC East)
What’s The Problem?
Clueless coach. Poorly constructed team with too many selfish players. Bad secondary. Mistake-prone starting quarterback. Overestimated their own talent and the ease with which they’d be able to navigate the season.
Can They Fix It?
No. The injuries are too great, the team is not mentally strong enough and they have too little margin for error. Plus the schedule is not kind.
Long-Term Prognosis
Poor. Dallas will show signs of life at the end of November in beating up on the Seahawks and 49ers, but in December they have the Steelers, Eagles, Ravens and Giants to deal with, and they may be out of it by then. This week’s game against the Giants and the one in two weeks against Washington will likely determine their season.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Minnesota Vikings","Adrian Peterson","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/NFL/AllMadden/photos/peterson_82728538.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Dilip Vishwanat", "Getty Images", "298", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Minnesota Vikings
(3-4, 3rd in the NFC North)
What’s The Problem?
The 0-2 start to the season put them in a hole and sapped their confidence. It seems they don’t really have an offensive identity and are unable to get out of their own way.
Can They Fix It?
Last week’s 48-41 loss to the Bears was exceptionally damaging. The Vikes looked like boobs on far too many occasions, and a loss like that isn’t easy to recover from. Also, if Pat and Kevin Williams get bounced for their positive banned substance tests, the league’s second-best run defense is going to get worn out.
Long-Term Prognosis
Poor. While other teams seem to be rounding into a semblance of predictability, the Vikings are becoming more confounding every week. That's not the way to enter the second half of the season.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","New Orleans Saints","Drew Brees","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Components/Photo-Sports/October/JT_NFL_Firstquarterreportcards/081002_DrewBrees_v.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Doug Pensinger", "Getty Images", "298", "190", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "New Orleans Saints
(4-4, 4th in the NFC South)
What’s The Problem?
They have a hard time stopping anyone with a reasonably capable offense, and that means Drew Brees and the rest of the offense needs to score about 30 to get a win.
Can They Fix It?
No. Generally speaking, defense isn’t a rhythm thing that improves with reps. You are what you are, and New Orleans is porous. And if all the banned-substance suspensions kick in for Will Smith and Deuce McAllister, buh-bye playoffs.
Long-Term Prognosis
Brees and the offense are quietly having an historic season in terms of passing. He has 2,515 yards through the air in eight games and is on pace to come darn close to breaking Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 yards set in 1984. Unfortunately, they’re not going to take that act into the playoffs in the too-competitve NFC.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Philadelphia Eagles","Brian Westbrook","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Season%20Slide%20show/Week%20eight/081026_Westbrook.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Mel Evans", "AP", "242", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Philadelphia Eagles
(4-3, 4th in the NFC East)
What’s The Problem?
They were without Brian Westbrook in the backfield and have been a little limited in the passing game with Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis battling injuries. But they haven’t been beaten badly in any game (three losses by a total of 14 points) and are poised for a run.
Can They Fix It?
Absolutely. Westbrook is back, and he ran wild last week. The rest of the offense is playing well, and the defense is downright nasty when it’s playing from ahead.
Long-Term Prognosis
Five of their final eight games are in the division, so they’re able to take care of business for themselves. This team is so close to being 6-1, it’s ridiculous. If they don’t make the playoffs as one of the two Wild Cards or even the East champs (they play the Giants twice), they’ll only have themselves to blame.";
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i++] = new Array("","Seattle Seahawks","Matt Hasselbeck talks to Mike Holmgren.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Vandermark%2C%20Brett/NFL/Coach_Rankings/holmgren_offensive.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Jonathan Daniel", "Getty Images", "222", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
S_NFL_TeeteringTeams[i-1].body = "Seattle Seahawks
(2-5, 2nd in NFC West)
What’s The Problem?
Matt Hasselbeck’s out. Weak offense in general. A malaise is permeating the entire team, it seems.
Can They Fix It?
You can’t take them out of the picture completely because the NFC West is so poor and Arizona is so schizophrenic. Seattle could climb back in if the team even gets eight wins. But, again, with the injuries in key spots, the likelihood of them catching Arizona or even holding off surging St. Louis is unlikely.
Long-Term Prognosis
Poor. The Mike Holmgren Era ends quietly in Seattle.";
// END editorial data