Predicting the NFL Top Five Offenses in 2014
By Erik Lambert
Dec 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is looks on from the sidelines during the second quarter agains the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Denver reigned supreme in 2013 as the best NFL offense. Will anyone unseat them in 2014? Here are the top five projected.
#5 – Detroit Lions
Things have approached a zenith for the Detroit Lions. Their core talent is in their prime and the window for seizing a championship won’t get much better. At the center of it is their offense. Already laden with proven commodities like Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and Matthew Stafford, the team used the 2014 off-season to hopefully bring it all together. They added solid receiver Golden Tate in free agency to help compliment Johnson and then grabbed dynamic tight end Eric Ebron in the draft. Combined with an offensive line that allowed just 23 sacks in 2013, the Lions are poised to debut in the top 5.
#4 – Chicago Bears
Talent is what drove the Chicago Bears offense to heights it hasn’t seen in decades. Despite injuries at quarterback they finished 2013 eighth in total offense and second in scoring. However, it’s no longer skill but stability that will bring about improvement for them in year two under head coach Marc Trestman. Their three-headed monster of Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery might be the best in football. Jay Cutler won’t have to change offenses for the first time since 2011, a highly underrated benefit to his growth. Throw in an offensive line that gave up just 30 sacks a year ago and is returning all five starters and there is reason to fear the Monsters of the Midway.
#3 – Philadelphia Eagles
Chip Kelly is an offensive mastermind who always finds a way to create points on the scoreboard. That alone makes the Philadelphia Eagles dangerous. Never mind they have the reigning rushing champion in LeSean McCoy and a quarterback in Nick Foles who threw 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions a year ago. Add in veteran spark plug Darren Sproles, returning veteran Jeremy Maclin, promising tight end Zach Ertz and rookie sleeper Jordan Matthews and that is the makings of a versatile and multidimensional attack that will be hard to stop for even the best defenses.
#2 – Denver Broncos
Can things actually get better for what was the best offense in NFL history, statistically? Losing Eric Decker was a blow but in his place the Denver Broncos swiftly added Emmanuel Sanders and then scooped up Cody Latimer in the draft. Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady is set to return and improvements on defense should only give Peyton Manning even more opportunities to touch the ball. The only real question mark surrounding this juggernaut is the running game. Montee Ball is ready to replace Knowshon Moreno but he is not yet proven. If he plays up to his talent, then the Broncos will stampede the league again.
#1 – Green Bay Packers
Want to know a scary statistic? The Green Bay Packers had the 3rd overall offense in the NFL in 2013. Keep in mind that they accomplished that feat playing 7 of 16 games without Aaron Rodgers. Imagine if he makes it through the entire season healthy? Now it’s important to remember James Jones and Jermichael Finley are gone, leaving two holes in the passing attack. At the same time Eddie Lacy is growing into a Pro Bowler at running back and Randall Cobb should return at full strength to compliment Jordy Nelson. Throw in a boon of additions at wide receiver from the draft including Davante Adams and Jared Abbrederis and the weaponry is abundant for the best quarterback in the business.