Decemeber is finally here and that only means one thing. The NFL season will soon come to an end. The NFL is my version of a soap opera. The sport version of Young and the Restless or General Hospital. Just like these soap opera's, the NFL has non-stop stories, whether it's good or bad. Now that we are weeks away from the NFL's season conclusion, I looked back on the multitude of surprising stories this season has to far. These are my top five surprises of the NFL season so far:
5. Sophomore slump for Todd Gurley
For all those fantasy football fans who had drafted Todd Gurley this season I send you my condolences. The running back for the Los Angeles Rams entered this NFL season with tremendous expectations because of his breakout rookie season. But thirteen weeks into the season he has yet to have a 100 yard rushing performance. Gurley has only accumulated 641 rush yards and four touchdowns, while only rushing for 3.2 yards per carry. But because of the Rams average offensive line, with limited playmakers at their skill positions, defenses have keyed on Gurley this year because he is the Rams' only true threat on offense. Gurley's slump is not all his fault, however, it's sad to see a great young running back in a funk.
4. The Raiders are back.
As a die hard San Diego Chargers fan it hurts my soul to say this, but, Raiders are a juggernaut this season. Derek Carr has become one of the elite young quarterbacks in the NFL and has cemented his name into MVP conversation. Their defense is shaky at best, but they don't break. Consistently they have done enough defensively that has elevated them to wins. For the first time in a long time the Raiders are leading the division and are Super Bowl contenders. Who saw this coming so soon?
3. The heart of a Lion.
So the Detroit Lions lose one of the greatest wide receivers of all time in Calvin Johnson and they still lead their division? Nobody expected this, especially a division that has Aaron Rodgers and the tough Vikings.The Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is one of the best in the business, when he is under control and playing with confidence. The Lions talent wise are a mediocre team at best, but they have definitely overachieved this season. Stafford and his MVP caliber play have definitely been the main reason for the Lions success this year.
2. Cam Newton and the Panthers have been humbled.
How does a team go from being a Super Bowl contender to one of the NFL's bottom feeders? I still don't know the answer. The Carolina Panthers are a very talented team but lack discipline. It all started with the departure of All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman and they haven't done well to replace him. Since then their defense hasn't been the same, there is more pressure for the MVP Cam Newton to save the day. His nickname is Superman but Newton hasn't saved the day. He still putting up solid numbers but he hasn't done enough this year. Maybe Newton shouldn't have stopped dabbing because when he was they were winning. The Panthers are last in their division, and there is no reason to dab, dance or celebrate.
1. How about them Cowboys!
I have been used to the Cowboys being the laughing stock of the NFL for years, but this year the Dallas Cowboys have been no laughing matter. Who knew that two rookies would lead the Cowboys to a franchise record 11 straight victories, have the best record in the league and be two candidates to take the MVP record. It doesn't seem right because the Cowboys are always "considered an accident waiting to happen" to quote the great Stephen A. Smith. Maybe Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot and the best offensive line in the NFL have changed their culture. I can't believe it but Dallas seems to be Super Bowl bound. We'll just have to wait and see.
