The NFL had a number of surprises in 2013. Below are the top five surprising moments of 2013.
5. Trent Richardson traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Cleveland Browns traded its No. 3 overall pick from 2012 on Sept. 18 after just two games. In exchange, Indianapolis sent its 2014 first round draft pick to Cleveland.
Indianapolis traded for Richardson in hopes of taking some of the pressure off quarterback Andrew Luck and the passing game, although the former Crimson Tide halfback failed to make a dent in his first season with the Colts. Richardson finished the 2013 regular season with 563 yards (3.0 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
4. Robert Griffin III benched.
The Washington Redskins' reigning Rookie of the Year filled headlines over the summer with his well-documented recovery from ACL surgery. His performance -- it's hard to imagine a second-year pro excelling in his first year back from major surgery --wasn't as surprising as the drama-filled year off the field with his then-coach, Mike Shanahan.
The two never appeared to be on the same page and, after a 3-10 start, Shanahan decided to bench Griffin for the remaining three games of the season. Shanahan, who was fired on Monday, cited concerns about Griffin's safety in playing three meaningless games behind a porous offensive line.
Griffin finished the year with 3,203 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
3. Houston Texans finish the season 2-14.
Houston went from AFC South champions with a 12-4 record to owning the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft. Matt Schaub regressed as a quarterback, throwing just 14 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, before eventually being benched for 2012 undrafted free agent Case Keenum.
Coach Gary Kubiak, who became the Texans' coach in 2006, was fired, and injuries - including to star running back Arian Foster, linebacker Brian Cushing and tight end Owen Daniels - proved too much to overcome.
2. Peyton Manning comes back better than ever.
Manning came back from potential career-ending neck surgery in 2012 and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but his arm strength was still questioned.
Not only did Manning answer all questions this year about whether he'd ever regain MVP form, he posted career-best numbers and shattered NFL records. The 37-year-old broke Drew Brees' record for most passing yards in a season with 5,477 yards and broke Tom Brady's record for most touchdowns in a season with 55 scores.
1. Aaron Hernandez charged with first-degree murder.
Hernandez was arrested in June for the first-degree murder of Odin Lloyd, an acquaintance of the former New England Patriot. Hernandez, 24, pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail while awaiting trial.
In addition to the alleged murder of Lloyd, Hernandez is being investigated for a 2012 unsolved double homicide in Boston, his possible involvement in an interstate gun trafficking ring and faces a lawsuit for allegedly shooting an acquaintance in the face.
