NFL Takeaways: Week 11
Photo by Jennifer Buchanan of The Seattle Times
So far, the only good games this season have been on in the prime time slots.
Thank God for RedZone, otherwise this season would be unbearable.
Patriots defeat Falcons 25-0
The Patriots lead the division.
So there’s that.
Colts defeat Bills 41-15
Scorigami!
But also, Jonathan Taylor had a field day and is another prime example, along with Derrick Henry, that you do not need a running back in the first round.
Looking at you, Giants…
Ravens defeat Bears 16-13
Two things.
First, the Ravens staving off defeat on the road in the final seconds with a PAC 12 QB making his first career start is insane #PAC12AfterDark energy and I respect it so much.
Second, the Bears suck. Someone fire Matt Nagy into the sun.
Browns defeat Lions 13-10
I was always a strong Baker Mayfield defender.
But I’m going to need to see a lot more from him if he wants me to stay on his side, which I know he cares terribly about.
Texans defeat Titans 22-13
People are going to use this as an example of how Ryan Tannehill can’t succeed without Derrick Henry, when in reality it was one game during a monsoon and anything can happen.
The Titans are still good. The Texans are still bad. This was a weird one where you just toss it aside and move on.
Vikings defeat Packers 34-31
Justin Jefferson rules.
That’s it. That’s all I got.
He rules.
Dolphins defeat Jets 24-17
Despite always having an appreciation for the Dolphins, I was ready to stoke some flames in Baltimore if Joe Flacco beat the Dolphins one week after Lamar Jackson couldn’t.
Alas, it wasn’t to be…
Eagles defeat Saints 40-29
That’s a pretty good defense Jalen Hurts torched on Sunday.
There’s still a good amount of season left, but I’m prepared to take the victory lap on my “Jalen Hurts isn’t the problem in Philly” train.
Washington defeats the Panthers 27-21
Even though they lost, and I have been a critic of him in recent years, the Cam Newton return to Carolina was electrifying and just sort of felt right.
He belongs in Carolina.
49ers defeat Jaguars 30-10
Another QB I have been critical of in the past is Jimmy G. But he has been very, very good the past few weeks.
Again, credit where it’s due.
Though I still think he’s nothing special, he is at least helping his team win games.
Bengals defeat Raiders 32-13
Poor Raiders, man.
This looked like a promising season for them, and then three terrible off the field incidents are on the verge of derailing it.
It must be a tough year in that locker room.
Chiefs defeat Cowboys 19-9
The Cowboys are riddled with injuries, but boy oh boy that Chiefs defense is finally starting to get it together.
If Mahomes turns back into Mahomes, which most of us think he likely will, this is a Super Bowl contender again.
Especially in a weak AFC.
Cardinals defeat Seahawks 23-13
Pete Carroll is going to get fired/retire, or Russell Wilson is going to demand a trade.
Either way, I’m ok with it.
I am a Seahawks fan, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve grown up more or it’s just been the same thing for years now, but I do not care about the results of Seahawks games.
Hell, I didn’t care much last season when they went 12-4.
They either win or lose, and when the game is done I go back to whatever I was doing and nothing much changes.
This era of Seahawks football is surely over, and that’s ok. I’m excited to see what the next era holds.
Also, don’t ever say they “wasted” this era.
If you truly think they did with two Super Bowl appearances and one win, go back and read my post from a few weeks ago about how dynasties in the NFL work if you aren’t the New England Patriots.
Chargers defeat Steelers 41-37
Mike Tomlin is a hell of a coach.
By all accounts, the Steelers are not a good team and they’re riddled with injuries.
Yet they always have winning seasons and they’re right on that line now.
That’s a credit to Tomlin.
Buccaneers defeat Giants 30-10
Daniel Jones, the guy who was pretty good in a weak ACC conference, is surprisingly not a good NFL quarterback.
Go figure.
