1 thing fringe playoff teams need to fix to reach postseason

More than half of the 2017 NFL season is in the books, and most teams remain in the playoff hunt after nine weeks of shocking parity and injuries to what feels like half the league's Pro Bowlers.

Some teams are virtually guaranteed a playoff spot, like the 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles, while others are firmly in control of their division, like the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings.

But there's a significant middle class in the NFL right now, which is crying out for a few teams to separate themselves from the pack. Here's one thing each mid-tier team needs to fix to make the playoffs (only four-plus-win teams were considered):

Buffalo Bills

Fix: LeSean McCoy's struggles

McCoy hasn't been his usual explosive self this season. Maybe it's the Bills' new offense, maybe it's nine seasons of hits and lingering injuries sapping his once game-changing talents. Whatever the reason, the Bills need to get him back on track.

And blocking apparently hasn't been an issue. The Bills' offensive line has been doing its job; it's McCoy who hasn't been able to make defenders miss with his usual consistency.

Miami Dolphins

Fix: Defense's inability to stop tight ends

Yes, the fledgling offense led by Jay Cutler has been the Dolphins' main issue this season. However, a potential move to Matt Moore was nixed by a poor Week 9 performance in relief of Cutler, and Miami looked much improved when Cutler returned last week.

What the Dolphins can work on is stopping opposing tight ends. Jared Cook destroyed Kiko Alonso in coverage in Week 9, finishing with nine catches for 126 yards. And it won't get any easier, with Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce upcoming before the end of the season. Miami doesn't have the defensive talent to compensate for such a glaring weakness.

New York Jets

Fix: Improve pass protection

Josh McCown has defied the odds and most people's expectations this season, leading a shockingly competent offense and completing over 70 percent of his passes.

But he's still 38 years old, and the Jets' protection of him has left a lot to be desired. The Jets rank 23rd in pressure percentage and 28th in sacks per drop back. Simply put, McCown might not last the season unless New York eases the punishment the veteran pivot is taking on a weekly basis.

Baltimore Ravens

Fix: Offensive play-calling through change at offensive coordinator

Injuries have ravaged the Ravens' offense, and Joe Flacco's struggles have played a big part in the unit's ineffectiveness.

But offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is the main culprit. His gameplans have been inconsistent at best, and he's failed to properly utilize what solid offensive talent the Ravens have left.

A midseason firing would be dramatic, but it's likely the only thing that may help Baltimore avoid a third-straight season outside the playoffs.

Oakland Raiders

Fix: Porous pass defense

The Raiders' pass defense has been the team's Achilles' heel since the start of last season. This year, however, the offense hasn't been good enough to help paper over the cracks, as the secondary has given up an NFL-high 110 passer rating.

Oakland does have hope. Gareon Conley could return after the bye and Obi Melifonwu came back in Week 9; both could greatly improve the Raiders' secondary once they get up to speed. Oakland could also look into signing free agent Vontae Davis.

Washington Redskins

Fix: Lack of deep passing game

The Redskins' offense relied on a downfield passing attack to great effect last season, but after losing DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in free agency, Washington has struggled to remain as explosive.

In 2016, Kirk Cousins was 10th in average completed air yards, a metric that shows how far a quarterback is throwing the ball downfield, according to NFL.com's Next Gen Stats. This season, however, Cousins sits 28th. Part of the issue is Cousins is more reluctant to be aggressive, but the Redskins' receivers haven't helped. An expanded role for Josh Doctson could be the answer.

Dallas Cowboys

Fix: Third-down defense

Sean Lee being healthy is the key to the Cowboys' defense being effective, which has been highlighted in the past three games. Dallas has given up an average of 15.3 points.

But the Cowboys still rank as the ninth-worst team in third-down defense. With Ezekiel Elliott gone and the offense likely less effective at controlling the clock, Dallas' defense needs to improve on getting off the field to help Dak Prescott.

Detroit Lions

Fix: Red-zone offense

The Lions haven't had the same red-zone offense since Calvin Johnson retired, but they've hit a new low in the past three weeks. Detroit has scored a touchdown on just over 27 percent of its red-zone trips from Weeks 7-9, the NFL's second-worst mark.

The lack of a strong running game is the biggest reason for the struggles, but play-calling and drops have also been significant factors. The Lions need to go on a run to make the postseason, and it won't happen if they don't find a way to turn more drives into points.

Green Bay Packers

Fix: Mike McCarthy's conservative play-calling

Brett Hundley isn't Aaron Rodgers - no one is - but the Green Bay Packers and head coach McCarthy have treated the backup quarterback like a raw rookie who's incapable of running a downfield-based attack.

McCarthy needs to take the training wheels off Hundley and allow him to take chances deep, or sit back and watch as the Packers' chances of staying alive - while they await word on Rodgers' potential late-season return - disappears.

Atlanta Falcons

Fix: Devonta Freeman's lack of touches

Freeman is one of the league's best backs, and the Falcons paid him as such in the offseason. But, under new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, Freeman hasn't been properly utilized.

The running back had 70 carries in the first four games, but only 44 in the last four. Freeman is Pro Football Focus' top-ranked running back this season; the Falcons needs to get him more involved to help reinvigorate an offense that has lost its identity this season.