NFL Players, Units That Need to Wake Up Fast as Regular Season’s Final Stretch Looms
With the NFL regular season rapidly approaching its conclusion, several players and units across the league have yet to live up to expectations. As the playoff race intensifies, these underachievers must make a significant turnaround in the final stretch to help their teams secure a postseason berth or improve their seeding.
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders
Wentz has struggled mightily in his first season with Washington, completing just 61.8% of his passes with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Commanders’ offense ranks near the bottom of the league in several key categories, and Wentz’s inconsistent play has been a major reason for their struggles. He needs to rediscover the form that made him a Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles to give Washington any chance of making the playoffs.
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
Wilson’s move to Denver was supposed to be a major upgrade for the Broncos, but he has failed to meet expectations so far. Wilson has thrown for just 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and his completion percentage is a career-low 59.6%. The Broncos’ offense has been anemic all season, and Wilson has not played like the franchise quarterback they traded for. He needs to elevate his play if Denver wants to salvage its season.
Running Backs
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Kamara has been a workhorse for the Saints for years, but he has not been himself in 2022. He has rushed for just 481 yards and three touchdowns, and his receiving production has also declined. The Saints’ offense has been inconsistent all season, and Kamara’s struggles have been a major factor. He needs to find his old form to help New Orleans make a playoff push.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Elliott has been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL since entering the league in 2016, but he has been a major disappointment in 2022. He has rushed for just 639 yards and four touchdowns, and his yards per carry average is a career-low 4.2. The Cowboys’ offense has been struggling, and Elliott’s lack of production has been a major reason why. He needs to get back on track if Dallas wants to make a deep playoff run.
Wide Receivers
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Hopkins is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but he has been limited by injuries in 2022. He has missed five games and has not been as productive as usual when he has played. The Cardinals’ offense has been inconsistent all season, and Hopkins’ absence has been a major factor. He needs to get healthy and return to his old form to help Arizona make a playoff push.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
Golladay was signed by the Giants to a big contract in 2021, but he has been a major disappointment so far. He has caught just 16 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in 12 games. The Giants’ offense has been struggling, and Golladay’s lack of production has been a major reason why. He needs to step up and become a more consistent target for quarterback Daniel Jones if New York wants to make a playoff run.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts was one of the most hyped rookie tight ends in NFL history, but he has not lived up to expectations in his second season. He has caught just 22 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons’ offense has been struggling, and Pitts’ lack of production has been a major factor. He needs to become a more consistent target for quarterback Marcus Mariota if Atlanta wants to improve its record.
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Waller has been one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL in recent years, but he has struggled with injuries in 2022. He has missed several games and has not been as effective when he has played. The Raiders’ offense has been struggling, and Waller’s absence has been a major factor. He needs to get healthy and return to his old form to help Las Vegas make a playoff push.
Defensive Units
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ defense was one of the best in the NFL in 2021, but it has struggled mightily in 2022. They rank near the bottom of the league in several key categories, and they have allowed opponents to score 30 or more points in seven games. The Rams’ offense has also been struggling, but the defense has not been able to make up for it. They need to find a way to improve their play if they want to defend their Super Bowl title.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL in 2022. They rank near the bottom of the league in several key categories, and they have allowed opponents to score 30 or more points in nine games. The Saints’ offense has been inconsistent, but the defense has not been able to make up for it. They need to find a way to improve their play if they want to make a playoff push.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the NFL players and units that need to wake up fast as the regular season’s final stretch looms. If they can turn their play around, they could help their teams make a playoff push or improve their seeding. However, if they continue to struggle, they could end up costing their teams a chance to compete for a championship.