As I said to a raiders supporting mate of mine last night, they're still relevant in December which is more than I think most thought they'd be.
They also seem to have no receivers.
And a very good and surprising win for BOB and the Texans.
A generational problem in the defensive backfield too, we only ever seem to have one good DB at best.
As far as receivers go, there`s been the whole Antonio Brown debacle. A healthy and focussed AB would have made a big difference, Tyrell Williams has been in & out injured a lot and inho is only a 3rd/4th speed WR anyway. Hunter Renfrow, 5th round rookie, play ok in the slot is now out injured. A bunch of practice squad types at the other WR position. Trevor Davis is starting! He`s a KR. That leaves the TEs, who have been pretty good but as the main options can be shut down, and the RBs who have offered little. I`d definitely be upgrading from DeAndre Washington & Jalen Richard in the off-season as their running has also been abysmal.
Gruden can scheme a good offense, and our line has played above expectations, but he can`t make bad players play better. The defence needs better personnel, simple as that. Much better against the run this year, possibly because opponents can just launch it up with confidence.
I just wanted to see improvements this season, and 8-8 would be a massive improvement, and still possible. Even 6-10, with better play would be an improvement.
On another note, my Dolphins supporting mates are getting excited by their coaching staff`s performance this season, if little else.