Skip to content

NFL 2016: Winners and Losers

Tuesday 14 February 2017 11:06, UK

Though they didn't make Super Bowl LI, the Dallas Cowboys are one of 2016's winners
Image: Though they didn't make Super Bowl LI, the Dallas Cowboys are one of 2016's winners

At the start of every year, fans and pundits alike make their predictions for what will happen in the upcoming season.

Many predicted this would be the year of the Arizona Cardinals, or the Carolina Panthers, neither of whom made the play-offs.

Some outcomes are a little clearer; no prizes for correctly guessing that the Cleveland Browns would struggle to find a solitary win.

Super Bowl LI: Who said what
Super Bowl LI: Who said what

Patriots and Falcons players and staff react after Super Bowl LI

In a topsy-turvy 2016, Sky Sports picks its choices for winners and losers from around the league.

Winners

Tom Brady won his fifth ring with the Patriots - a feat unmatched by any other quarterback in history
Image: Tom Brady won his fifth ring with the Patriots - a feat unmatched by any other quarterback in history

Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots

After being suspended for the first four games of the season, the 39-year old came back stronger than ever, losing just one game on the way to a fifth Vince Lombardi trophy.

He set a Super Bowl record for passing yards, became the most successful quarterback in NFL history and maintained a lead in his ongoing battle with Father Time. We'd call that a win.

Also See:

Matt Ryan's performances won him regular season MVP, and silenced many of his critics
Image: Matt Ryan's performances won him regular season MVP, and silenced many of his critics

Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

Though he didn't complete the fairy-tale season by winning Super Bowl LI, 'Matty Ice' proved that he belonged in the top tier of quarterbacks.

Voted regular season MVP, Ryan led the league in passer rating, pass per attempt, and commanded the highest scoring offence in the NFL.

The Falcons have the opportunity to come back just as strong next year, and Ryan will be determined to go one better.

Jay Ajayi's stock rose in 2016, rushing for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns
Image: Jay Ajayi's stock rose in 2016, rushing for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns

Jay Ajayi, Running back, Miami Dolphins

It was a rough start to the season for Ajayi, who wasn't even selected to travel for the team's opener against the Seattle Seahawks. However, three 200-yard performances made the NFL sit up and take note.

Called up as a replacement to his first Pro Bowl, Ajayi will now look to kick on in his third year with the Dolphins.

After a tumultuous start to the year, the Dallas Cowboys found a winning formula
Image: After a tumultuous start to the year, the Dallas Cowboys found a winning formula

Dallas Cowboys

Losing your starting quarterback before the season has even started does not sound like a recipe for success, and Cowboys fans were readying themselves for the worst.

Salvation came in the unlikely form of fourth-round rookie QB Dak Prescott, who guided the team to equal a franchise record, 13-3 season.

Prescott, named Offensive Rookie of the Year, was aided by fellow first-year star, Ezekiel Elliott. The running back totalled 1,631 yards, best in the league, as well as 15 touchdowns.

Dallas also had a championship-calibre offensive line, and one of the best, young head coaches in Jason Garrett. The future is bright in the lone-star state.

Losers

Brock Osweiler, Quarterback, Houston Texans

Quarterback Brock Osweiler has thus far struggled in Houston, and may have to compete for the starting job in 2017
Image: Quarterback Brock Osweiler has thus far struggled in Houston, and may have to compete for the starting job in 2017

After the big-money move of last year's free agency, the former Denver Broncos QB just could not get it going in Houston.

Interceptions followed fumbles, and it seemed impossible for Osweiler to get on the same page as wide receiver De'Andre Hopkins.

Eventually, Osweiler was benched for Tom Savage, but the back-up suffered a concussion and Osweiler was recalled. He found his way past a depleted Oakland Raiders team, but let his side down against the Patriots in the divisional play-off round.

Still, he's sitting on a $72M, six-year contract, so it could be worse.

Derek Carr's injury derailed the Oakland Raiders' campaign for a first Super Bowl championship since 1983
Image: Derek Carr's injury derailed the Oakland Raiders' campaign for a first Super Bowl championship since 1983

Derek Carr, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders' rise to prominence was one of the feel-good stories of the season. After several years rebuilding, and a 14-year play-off drought, Carr led his organisation back to the Promised Land, and it looked as though they could challenge for honours.

However, the bubble burst in week 16 as Carr suffered a broken leg against the Indianapolis Colts, and the NFL let out a disheartened groan as one.

Oakland crashed out of the post-season, and now hope that their franchise QB can come back as strong as he was this year.

Doug Marrone has replaced Gus Bradley in Jacksonville, and will hope to get the best out of quarterback Blake Bortles
Image: Doug Marrone has replaced Gus Bradley in Jacksonville, and will hope to get the best out of quarterback Blake Bortles

Jacksonville Jaguars

If there's one team that many thought could go from no-hopers to play-off contenders, it was the Jaguars. After an impressive Draft, and splashing the cash in free agency, Jacksonville's new look defence was much hyped.

It turned out that offence was to be the problem, as Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns all failed to recapture their 2015 form.

Head coach Gus Bradley lost his job, and now it's Doug Marrone's opportunity to find the winning formula in Florida.

San Diego Chargers fans will be without a team, after the organisation announced it was moving to Los Angeles
Image: San Diego Chargers fans will be without a team, after the organisation announced it was moving to Los Angeles

San Diego Chargers fans

Fifty six years of history comes to an end in San Diego, as owner Dean Spanos has decided to move the Chargers franchise from Southern California, 100 miles north to Los Angeles.

The team will pay rent to the Rams, with whom they will share a stadium with, while San Diego now stands bereft of an NFL team.

They may be in line to take on the Raiders, if owner Mark Davis can't secure his desired move to Las Vegas, but for now, at least, San Diegans will have to find a new team to root for.

Upgrade now to watch all eight Sky Sports channels for only £20 for 12 months.

Around Sky

Sign up for Sky Sports push notifications

Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch every minute of end of season

Sky Data Layer Viewer