NFL: First half overachievers and underachievers in the North

At the halfway point in the season, most teams will now have an idea of where their season is headed and how they’d like it to end: whether that be pushing for the playoffs or simply avoiding the dreaded winless season. Some teams aren’t where they expected to be thanks to disappointing stars, while others have been propelled to the top by great performances from unexpected sources. In this short series, I’ll suggest one over-achieving player who will need to “keep it up” and one under-performer who needs to “pick it up” for each team, by region, looking this time at the North.

Previous entries: East

AFC North

BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 13: Running back Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by Green Bay Packers defenders in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens

Keep it up: Torrey Smith, WR – Smith has been targeted 61 times, with 31 catches for 629 yards. The completion % isn’t great, but it never is on downfield throws. He’s averaging 10.3 yards per target, while passes aimed at any other Ravens receiver have averaged 6.1 yards per attempt. He’s making a difference where others aren’t.

Pick it up: Ray Rice, RB – After winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens let several free agents walk, putting all 120 million eggs in Joe Flacco’s basket and he’s not been good enough. That said, Ray Rice is probably more important and producing less. Rice powered the Ravens ground and air attack last year with 1621 yards from scrimmage. This year he’s on pace for just 814 thanks to a dreadful 2.9 yards per carry and equally troubling 4.9 yards per catch.

Cincinnati Bengals

Keep it up: Marvin Jones, WR – The 2^nd year pro already has more catches and yards than his rookie year, but what’s been far more incredible is his 7 TDs. He had an 8^th called back for a penalty on Thursday night. If he can keep up this kind of pace, the Bengals offence will be a force to be reckoned with.

Pick it up: Domata Peko, DT – Nothing to do with his play so far, which has been perfectly adequate on a very good D line. But the Bengals have just lost star DT, and the key to the defense, Geno Atkins for the season with an ACL injury. Peko and others will need to step up and fill in for his production or the Bengals could falter down the stretch.

Cleveland Browns

Keep it up: Jason Campbell, QB – So he’s only had one start this year. The Browns have a good defense, and can move the ball on the ground just enough to get by. With the emergence of Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron, they even have some pass catchers. All that’s been holding them back has been abysmal QB play, and Campbell was anything but that with nearly 300 yards 2 TDs and no INTs against a very strong Chiefs D. If he keeps that up, the 3-5 Browns could make a late playoff push.

Pick it up: Entire offensive line, OL. Anchored by all-pro LT Joe Thomas, the offensive line was meant to be a strength of this team. Instead they’ve given up the 5^th most sacks, while only rushing for 3.9 yards per carry. The offence just needs to tread water if the D maintains its great play, but Jason Campbell will need to stay upright to give them a chance.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Keep it up: Antonio Brown, WR – The offence is struggling, but that’s nothing to do with Brown, who has excelled after moving into the no.1 role. A few more big plays would be nice (11.3 yards per catch, 2 TDs isn’t exactly explosive), but he’s on pace for 128 catches for 1440 yards. Hard to argue there; any receiver would be delighted with those numbers.

Pick it up: Jarvis Jones/Jason Worilds, OLB – The Steelers have had uncharacteristic issue getting after the opposing QB. Star Lamar Woodley has produced 5 sacks, but is getting no help from the other side, where Jones and Worilds have combined for just 1. A recent surge has put the Steelers right back in the picture, but it’s the D that will need to carry them, and that’s going to require more pressure from the edges.

NFC North:

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 15: Cordarrelle Patterson #84 of the Minnesota Vikings runs back a 105 yard kickoff return against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter on September 15, 2013 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears

Keep it up: Alshon Jefferey, WR – After a disappointing rookie year, Jeffery has exploded this year, leading the Bears in receiving yards. He only has 33 catches, but his big play ability is evident in his 17 yard per catch. He has 12 catches of 20+ yards, which ties him at 2^nd in the league with DeSean Jackson and Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson. Not bad company at all.

Pick it up: Julius Peppers, DE – The former 2^nd overall pick and perennial all-pro was well worth his money in his first 3 years in Chicago, defending stoutly against the run, while picking up more than 10 sacks a year. His production has fallen of a cliff this year. The Bears can get by with his dwindling effectiveness against the run, but with just 1 sack all year, and few other QB pressures, Peppers is not getting it done and nor are the Bears.

Detroit Lions

Keep it up: Reggie Bush, RB – The former controversial college superstar has never exactly flown under the radar, wherever he’s been. He’s also never lived up to the hype, but it seems someone has finally figured out how to use him best. Bush is running hard and making defenders miss. He’s producing in all phases of the offence and is one pace to set new career highs in rushing yards, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Pick it up: Nate Burleson/Kris Durham, WR – If Calvin Johnson can come up with 329 receiving yards every week, the Lions should be fine. Seems unlikely though, even for him. No other WR on the Lions has that many yards through the whole season. Someone needs to pick up some slack and take attention away from Megatron if Matt Stafford’s high-flying attack is to carry the Lions to the playoffs.

Green Bay Packers

Keep it up: Eddie Lacy, RB – Alex Green led the Packers last year with 464 rushing yards. Lacy is already nearly there, even after a slow start due to injury. It seems like a long time since the Packers have had a consistent threat to run, but after averaging 99 yards over the 4 games since their bye week, it looks like they’ve finally found one. An impressive start for the rookie 2nd rounder.

Pick it up: Defensive secondary, DB – The Packers are tied for last in the league in interceptions and 6^th from bottom in pass deflections. Opposing quarterback’s have a 96.0 QB rating against the Packers, despite a pass rush that’s one sack away from the league’s top 10. If the season ended now, the Packer’s road to the SuperBowl would include top QBs like Drew Brees, Matt Stafford, Tony Romo and Russell Wilson. The coverage needs to be tighter.

Minnesota Vikings

Keep it up: Cordarelle Patterson, KR – With only 13 catches; Patterson has not made the impact the team might have hoped at wide receiver. He has, however, truly excelled as a kick returner: he leads in the league in return yards and at 39.1 has the highest average of any regular returner. He’s run 2 back for TDs so far, including a 109 yard play, just short of the longest in NFL history.

Pick it up: Passing game, QB,WR,OL,HC – Vikings Quarterbacks average a truly awful 69.6 QB rating. Only Eli Manning and the Jacksonville Jaguars have dipped below that mark. Neither of those has 2012 MVP Adrian Peterson on their side of the field. Everyone is to blame here, including Head Coach Leslie Frasier after his baffling decision to start an under prepared Josh Freeman.