Florida's NFL Teams Stinking Up League In 2013
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Each year, Florida's high schools and colleges are loaded with talent that routinely dominates high school and college football.
The same can't be said for the state's three professional football teams.
Combined, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins have a record of 3-16 on the season. All three of the victories have come from the Dolphins as Tampa Bay and Jacksonville remain winless in 2013.
What's worse is both the Jaguars and the Buccaneers appear to be getting worse, and the Dolphins may be on the same path. After starting out hot, the Dolphins have lost the last three games in a row including Sunday's loss to division rival Buffalo.
Still, things are really bad in Tampa and Jacksonville.
The two squads are ranked 31st and 32nd in total offense and Jacksonville has been outscored by a staggering 146 points on the season. The Bucs' passing offense is ranked 30th in the league and Jacksonville's rushing offense shares a similar ranking of 30th.
Not surprisingly the Jaguars and Buccaneers are the two lowest scoring teams in the league with 76 and 87 points respectively this season. For comparison, 11 teams in the NFL have scored more points by themselves than the Jags and Bucs have combined to score this season.
Defensively, things are not much better as Jacksonville ranks dead last in total defense and rushing defense. Tampa's defense has actually held its own this year, ranking ninth in total defense and eighth in passing defense, but has gotten no support from an anemic offense.
The Jaguars lost their top draft pick to injury this season and Tampa has seen players almost revolt over the botched handling of quarterback Josh Freeman and his subsequent trade. Over head coach Greg Schiano's last 12 games, Tampa is just 1-11 with the lone win coming in the final week of the 2012 season.
Miami was the early toast of the league with a 3-0 start, but after getting run out of the stadium by the New Orleans Saints and losing two close games to Baltimore and Buffalo, things are not going well for Fins fans.
The Dolphins' biggest problems remain protecting the quarterback, establishing any semblance of a running game, and turnovers. Against Buffalo, the Dolphins only gave up two sacks and Daniel Thomas rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries, but three turnovers killed the Fins' chances.
Miami's running game is ranked 28th in the league and the passing game isn't much better ranking 26th in the league, according to pro-football-reference.com. Miami is also ranked 22nd in the league in scoring with just 135 points scored on the season.
And things don't get any easier for Miami after two straight losses of three or fewer points. The Fins travel to New England to play Tom Brady and the Patriots who have dominated Miami for most of the last decade.
But, on the bright side, after a home game against Cincinnati, Miami plays in Tampa against the Buccaneers. So there should be at least one victory to be had in the next few weeks, likely against Tampa.
Still, for a state so used to dominance in football, Tampa and Miami do have three Super Bowl victories between them, it's been a rough start to the 2013 NFL season. But, on the bright side for Tampa and Jacksonville, they may find a quick Teddy Bridge "over troubled" Water in next season's draft.
