What We Learned From Week 10
Added on Nov 13, 2012 by Scott in
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Scoring was once again in vogue during Week 10 as ten teams topped 30 points, including a gaudy 55 posted by the Ravens. Defenses are struggling to keep pace, except for the Texans, Bears and Seahawks. It remains to be seen whether a high-powered scoring machine will be able to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but the haves and have-nots are coming into focus. Here’s what we learned during Week 10.
Mile High Colts – Geesh, the Broncos sure do look a lot like those old Colts teams Peyton used to command. Explosive passing attack, average running game and a serviceable bend-don’t-break defense. And like those Colts of yesteryear these Broncos appear poised to make a postseason run.
Big Blue Blues? – Those crafty Giants are up to their November tricks again by making the rest of the league think they are in trouble. If we’ve learned anything about Eli and Co. it’s never to pound nails in their coffin until Week 17. They are incredibly resilient and generally play better when everyone is trashing them. Plus, the NFC East is awful.
South Florida Swoon – Three weeks ago the Dolphins were looking like a potential Wildcard candidate. Despite a lack of playmakers and a rookie quarterback, Joe Philbin was riding a decent running game and a surprisingly stout defense. Those were the days. Since then they’ve yielded 433 yards to Andrew Luck, allowed 37 points to the lowly Titans and benched perennial underachiever Reggie Bush. Well, there’s always next year.
Running Back Carousel – Bill Belichick has always tinkered with his backfields, but in 2012 he’s reached new heights of alchemy. Stevan Ridley, Brandon Bolden, Shane Vareen and Sunday’s two-touchdown hero Danny Woodhead have all been utilized effectively. Ground Belichick’s Patriots boast the fourth best rush game. That doesn’t even sound right.
Saints surge – Remember when the Saints were the laughing stock of the league at 0-4? The karma police were wagging their fingers as if to say, ‘Told ya.” At 4-5, the Cajuns are on the comeback trail after bouncing the rival Falcons from the ranks of the unbeaten. And believe it or not they’re doing it by running the ball. Say it ain’t so. Oh, it’s so!
Tie me a river – Evidently Donovan McNabb isn’t the only player unaware that ties can occur in professional football. The Rams Danny Amendola and the 49ers Dashon Goldson had no idea the game was over after overtime ended on Sunday. Perhaps an offseason tutorial is in order.
Texans tornado – The Texans just look like a Super Bowl team. They have no real weaknesses, rarely turn the ball over and play the kind of physical football on both sides that wears down lesser opponents. Matt Schaub and Arian Foster probably won’t garner many MVP votes, but both are deserving.
