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The playoff hunt is well underway. Several teams are already locked into the postseason. Others are on the verge of punching Ian Kinsler Jersey their ticket. Before you know it, the race for the next Lombardi Trophy will be in full swing. But how did the top teams get to this point? The truth is there are many reasons: years of roster-building, weakened divisional foes, in-season adjustments. On the latter point, all of this year's contenders have done some amount of tweaking to become more formidable.With that in mind, here are some of the most important in-season moves each of the NFL's top 10 teams have made so far:Move: Signing PHI DT #98 Howie Roseman did his best work in the offseason, upgrading basically every position of need to a semble one of the NFL's most balanced lineups. But Joseph, signed in mid-November, plugged in as an instant run stuffer during ' absence, helping shore up an already loaded D-line. He offers Grade-A depth behind and going into the playoffs.Move: Incorporating BUF RB #4 Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim Jersey Att69Yds363TD1FL1 Rather than force touches for trade acquisition , Buffalo has increasingly turned to the rookie running back as a change-of-pace complement to , and it's paid off. On basically half as many carries as , Dalvin's brother has ripped off more 20-plus yard runs than everyone but Allen, giving added electricity to an already potent offense Kole Calhoun Jersey . Move: Featuring KC RB #1 TAR59REC46REC YDs429REC TD5FL1 Andy Reid has leaned on plenty of running back committees over the years, but their heavier usage of McKinnon, the shifty veteran reserve, has given , maybe the MVP front-runner, a better safety valve out of the backfield. Four times since November, McKinnon has logged at least six catches, totaling 250+ scrimmage yards in Weeks 14-15 alone.Move: Acquiring MIN TE #87 Jared Walsh Jersey TAR100REC65REC YDs730REC TD4FL1 Kevin O'Connell's squad was already moving the ball well before Hockenson arrived at the trade deadline, but the former standout has made a seamle s transition, catching at least five pa ses in five of his seven games in purple. His top-10 ability at the position has also opened plenty of lanes for , who's legitimately vying for the first 2,000-yard receiving season.Move: Giving control CIN QB #9 CMP%68.2YDs3885TD31INT10YD/Att7.59 Wondering why Cincinnati has moved the ball regardle s of wide receiver injuries, and despite a slow start to the year? , Joe Burrow gained more control over audibles and play calls starting in Week 5. Since then, the Bengals have won six of seven, and Burrow is one of the MVP front-runners thanks to his effortle s pinpoint dealing from the pocket. Move: Acquiring SF RB #23 Att200Yds927TD6FL0 When San Francisco mortgaged multiple picks for the ex-Panthers star at the deadline, it looked like a luxury move. Now, with Darin Erstad Jersey two QBs on injured reserve and also banged up, it looks like a nece sary gamble. McCaffrey has been exactly the multipurpose threat he was expected to be, and his dual-threat reliability is perfect for Kyle Shanahan's run- Justin Bour Jersey heavy system.Move: Feeding DAL RB #20 Att177Yds969TD9FL0 is technically still "headlining" Dallas' backfield, but they've finally leaned into Pollard this year, and the speedy complementary back has rewarded them with more than 1,200 scrimmage yards in 14 games, all while averaging six yards per touch. If can't control the ball in crunch time down the stretch, at least they can put it in Pollard's hands.Move: Acquiring BAL ILB #18 For sake, you wish their big splash would've come out wide. But adding Smith in a trade with the truly brought a heartbeat to the Ravens' now-stingy defense, which is giving up an average of just 18.8 points per game. The Pro Bowl linebacker has been a ball magnet in six games since his relocation, and his Luis Valbuena Jersey strength will come in handy in January. Move: Promoting NYG CB #37 Cap-strapped and content to let Brian Daboll maximize a transitioning roster, the Giants' big adjustment isn't a season-changer, but it helped bring unexpected stability in the secondary. With Adoree Jackson injured, Moreau stepped in from the practice squad as an adequate No. 1 corner on the outside, logging career marks in terms of opposing completion percentage.Move: Signing LAC K #11 If the Chargers are good at anything, it's playing especially dramatic close games. In that case, a clutch kicker is invaluable, and Dicker, an undrafted rookie signed in November, has been aces as their crunch-time go-to. Nearly perfect (25-26) on extra points and field goals with L.A., he's also had three game-winning kicks on the year, Nolan Ryan Jersey including two with the Chargers in just over a month. |
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