What We Learned From Week 11

Added on Nov 20, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

It was one of those crazy Sundays in the NFL this past weekend. Several contenders teetered on the precipice of being bounced by an inferior opponent only to eek out a win. And the league’s worst showed no signs of life as they watched their seasons circle the drain. There were also a handful of significant injuries dealt to playoff bound teams. Here’s what we learned from Week 11.

Just win, part 1 – Matt Ryan tossed five interceptions, the Falcons defense allowed LaRod Stephens-Howling to gash them for 127 yards, and yet Atlanta managed to pull out a victory versus the hapless Cardinals. Championship caliber teams find ways to win ugly even when they have no business doing so. Kudos to the Dirty Birds for dodging a bullet.

Super Bucs – Tampa looked listless all day in Carolina. Cue the comeback. Trailing 21-10 with less than five minutes in regulation, Josh Freeman donned his cape and marched the Bucs on two scoring drives to force overtime. And then he led an 80-yard touchdown drive in overtime to seal their fourth straight victory. Don’t sleep on these pirates.

In Rodgers we trust – Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers didn’t look very sharp in Detroit, but when he needed to engineer a game-winning drive late, he got it done. Despite a glut of injuries to the skill positions, Green Bay is once again angling for an NFC North title.

Just win, part 2 – The Texans were DOA early in the fourth quarter down 14 to the woeful Jaguars. Then Matt Schaub went to work. When the overtime smoke cleared, Schaub had 527 yards, five touchdowns, and most importantly Houston’s ninth win of the season. It will take a herculean effort to keep this team out of the Super Bowl.

Delusions of grandeur – After the Eagles dropped their sixth consecutive game in embarrassing fashion, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie delivered the following assessment of his team: “Nobody has lined up and just beat us. No, it’s just mental mistakes.” When you’re 3-7 while being outscored 252-162, it’s not just mental. The entire franchise refuses to see the writing on the wall that’s been staring at them for two years.

Men down – The Broncos and Patriots appear on a collision course to meet in January, but both must deal with key offensive injuries before they do. Willis McGahee is done for the regular season after tearing an MCL and fracturing a bone in his right leg, and Rob Gronkowski broke a forearm that will keep him out from four to six weeks. Underestimating either player’s importance would be foolish.

Skyfall – The Steelers will roll out 37-year-old Charlie Batch against Cleveland on Sunday after losing Big Ben and Byron Leftwich in back-to-back weeks. This team isn’t deep enough to compete with the AFC’s elite without #7 under center. Needless to say, Pittsburgh’s season is definitely on the brink.