Six entertaining NFL players starring on struggling teams

Not every NFL player has the pleasure of playing with this season’s Carolina Panthers or New England Patriots. Therefore, whether it is by luck of the draft or a trade, some players unfortunately are saddled to underperforming teams.

Though, every NFL player — rookies, veterans and in-between — deserves praise for playing their hearts each and every week. However, it’s always nice to recognize some of the NFL’s most entertaining players stuck on struggling teams.

Marcus Mariota, quarterback, Tennessee Titans (3-10)

Mariota and the Titans won’t see the postseason this year, but the team has already managed one more win than it did in 2014, which is a baby step towards success.

Mariota has breathed life and the hope of better days back into the struggling Titans. To date, the rookie has completed 62.4 percent of his passes and has an overall quarterback rating of 91.9. In addition, he has kept his touchdowns (19) higher than his interceptions (10) which is always bodes well for a striving rookie quarterback.

Mariota also has two stunning performances this year when he passed for four touchdowns and zero interceptions, including a winning season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A pleasure to watch on the ground as well, Mariota put pedal to the metal for an incredible 87-yard rushing touchdown he blasted on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13.

Facing the New England Patriots in Week 15, it would be quite the upset to see Mariota and the Titans win. Though more realistically speaking, the Titans could snag two more wins when they close out the season playing the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.

However the year finishes out, Mariota has certainly turned heads and is a surefire contender for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Charles Woodson, safety, Oakland Raiders (6-7)

Many stars would have to align to see Woodson and his Raiders wind up with an AFC Wild Card slot after three more games.

However, the All-Pro can depart the Raiders locker room on their final game knowing he has made a fantastic contribution at the ripe age of 39-years old. To date, Woodson has already registered more interceptions (five) than he had in his previous two seasons since returning to the Raiders.

And two of Woodson’s picks came from the hands of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning whom the safety had dreamed of intercepting since the start of both of their careers in 1998.

Coming up for Woodson is a meeting against his former Green Bay Packers where he spent seven seasons. And speaking about his now opponent, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had nothing but praises to share, via the team’s website.

“He’s playing great football. It’s impressive to see. Obviously I’m a little biased, but I think any fair opinion out there would say he’s playing the position at the top of his game right now.”

We’ll see if Woodson can register interception No. 6 or possibly 7 against Rodgers when the Raiders attempt to hang on for dear life in the AFC West.

Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers (4-9)

All Gabbert and the 49ers can hope for at this late in the season is that they can remain ahead of the Dallas Cowboys so they don’t finish 2015 ranking dead-last in the NFC.

However, Gabbert’s production since starting for the 49ers in Week 9 has been quite promising. So far, Gabbert has completed an average of 63.2 percent of his passes versus his 53.3 percent when he quarterbacked for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In his five game starts, Gabbert is noticeably throwing better and overall looks more confident in the pocket. He’s also not afraid to rely on his mobility which has paid off so far including a 44-yard rushing touchdown in a recent overtime win against the Chicago Bears.

While we still don’t know if the 49ers are sold on Gabbert for the long term, all the quarterback can do is dress to impress and play out his next three games as if he was auditioning for the 2016 starting job.

Todd Gurley, running back, St. Louis Rams (6-8)

Gurley was drafted by a team who is arriving to the party a little too late. Situated comfortably in third place in the NFC West, there is little hope of St. Louis earning a playoff bid as a wild card team.

With that said, Gurley has been one of the few shining stars on a St. Louis Rams offense that very well could be looking to replace Nick Foles in 2016. Despite the adverse playing conditions, though, Gurley has been a thrill to follow, definitely living up to his his first-round draft pick status.

Having already rushed for 1,000 yards with nine touchdowns in his 11 starts, the rookie is toting the rock at a healthy average of over five yards per attempt.

While fans can’t get enough of Gurley’s athleticism on the field, they’ll have to take in all they can, when the Rams face their divisional rival Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers down the home stretch.

Ezekiel (Ziggy) Ansah, defensive end, Detroit Lions (4-9)

The Lions have had some tough breaks intermingled with poor performances that unfortunately have them stashed near the bottom on the NFC as well as bottom-feeders in their divison.

Despite the Lions’ woes, Ansah continues to deliver top-notch performances and is shaping into an exciting defensive player to watch whether the team is winning or losing. Just last week, Ansah had two tackles and dealt a sack along with two quarterback hits on St. Louis Rams Case Keenum. For this, he ties for second in sacks (13.5) with Houston Texans J.J. Watt with Oakland Raiders Khalil Mack leading the NFL with 14.

Since being drafted in the first round in 2013, Ansah has only improved, and his speed for a guy that is 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds is quite incredible.

Really beginning to shine now that Ndamukong Suh has left the picture, Ansah is on course to finish the season with 16.5 sacks, 38 tackles, and zero quarterback stomps.

Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Cleveland Browns (3-10)

Manziel surely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Though, there is an undeniable level of excitement he brings to a team that would otherwise be quite boring with only three wins after 13 games.

And while there have been character issues, such as publicized domestic spats and bye-week two-night benders, Manziel has been having a decent season.

Considering the guy doesn’t get to play on a regular basis to develop a rapport with the starters, the second-year quarterback has impressed completing 61 percent of his passes. He has also thrown six touchdowns versus three interceptions in eight games of action.

Assuming we will see Manziel start the final three games (barring no social blunders or injuries) he will have a challenging road ahead facing the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. With each of these teams in the hunt for a playoff spot, it will be interesting to watch Manziel and Browns attempt to challenge or perhaps upset one of these teams.