Shield Talk: 2016 filled with disappointments

Carolina+Panthers+cornerback+Daryl+Worley%2C+left%2C+intercepts+a+pass+by+San+Diego+Chargers+quarterback+Philip+Rivers+during+action+on+Sunday%2C+Dec.+11%2C+2016+at+Bank+of+America+Stadium+in+Charlotte%2C+N.C.+The+Panthers+defeated+the+Chargers+28-16.+%28Jeff+Siner%2FCharlotte+Observer%2FTNS%29

Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley, left, intercepts a pass by San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during action on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 28-16. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS)

Brent Jansen | Contributing Writer | @TheSeahawk

The year 2016 will go down in history as one of the National Football League’s most obscure, mostly due to the defying of the expectations of Americans everywhere.

The beginning of the upsets starts with the disappointing year for the ex-Super Bowl contending Carolina Panthers. After the Panthers nearly finished undefeated last year, the expectations coming into the new season were high. Those expectations were suddenly lost when the Panthers started the season with a 1-5 record.

Another disappointment this season was the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is one of history’s greatest quarterbacks whose greatness tends to be shrouded by Tom Brady. Regardless, Rodgers almost always takes the Packers to the postseason.

Now, the Packers sit at third place in the NFC North and are far from playoff contention.

Lastly, the lowest of disappointments is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles held high hopes after rookie quarterback Carson Wentz led the team to a 3-0 start this season. In the last ten games, the Eagles have gone 2-8 and have dropped to last place in their division.

Those that have defied expectations are the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have always been disregarded, seeing that they are in the same division as the teams who host three of the NFC’s best players (Cam Newton, Julio Jones, and Drew Brees). After an unimpressive 3-5 start, the Buccaneers have won five straight games due to the emergence of Jameis Winston and wide-out Mike Evans. Mike Evans is third in the league for touchdowns and receptions.

The recent success of the Oakland Raiders has been somewhat predictable. But for a team that hasn’t been successful in recent years, it’s hard not to be shocked by their 10-3 record. In Derek Carr’s first two seasons, the Raiders held a 10-22 record. After a very successful offseason of solidifying their offensive line by re-singing Donald Penn, and signing Kelechi Osemele from Baltimore, the Raiders have become a favorite for the playoffs and Super Bowl LI.

The list of disappointments grows even larger when looking at a game by game basis (Green Bay’s blow out of Seattle in Week 14). And as the playoffs grow nearer and nearer, the football world still has no clue what to expect after a wacky season.

Brent’s Top 5 QB’s – Week 14 (Last week in parentheses)

1. Tom Brady – Another top defense under Brady’s belt. He’s still the greatest. (1)

2. Kirk Cousins – Don’t mind the 7-5-1 record, Cousins is playing his best football. (3)

3. Matt Ryan – Ryan and the Falcons embarrassed the Rams this weekend. Embarrassed. (4)

4. Derek Carr – Hard loss in Kansas City. One of the few times this season Carr wasn’t spectacular. (2)

5. Matthew Stafford – In very quiet fashion, Stafford has led the Lions to win eight of their last nine. Watch out, NFC. (Not ranked)