What We Learned From Week 12

Added on Nov 27, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The long Thanksgiving week of football began with a Turkey Day overtime thriller featuring a pair of playoff contenders and ended with a not so entertaining Monday nighter starring a pair of mailing it in teams. In between, we were treated to some ho-hum blowouts and a handful of defensive struggles that came down to the wire. The Colts returned to their winning ways, Jacksonville ended their losing ways, and Ray Rice saved the day for the Ravens by converting a 4th and 29. Here’s what we learned from Week 12 of the 2012 NFL season.

RG III in the zone – Last season, Cam Newton set the first half of his rookie campaign ablaze only to come crashing down once defenses adjusted to his style of play. Since the Redskins bye, Robert Griffin III has looked sharper and more poised as a passer, combining for 8 touchdown tosses and only one interception while completing over 82% of his throws. He appears to have caught up to the speed of the pro game and is making quicker, more decisive decisions. Upgrading the talent around him could make the Skins deadly as soon as 2013.

No more excuses – The Jets abysmal showing on Thanksgiving against the Patriots was a microcosm of how far this franchise has fallen. Looking at Mark Sanchez’s final stats, one might think he actually played a solid game. He didn’t. He and the entire Jets offense was catatonic for three quarters before waking up in time to post some meaningless garbage time stats. It’s time to say goodbye to Sanchez and probably Rex Ryan too. This team is headed in the wrong direction.

Same ol’ Raiders – The Raiders are surrendering over 42 points per game during their five-game losing streak. Making matters worse on Sunday, Carson Palmer’s old team and new quarterback unleashed a vicious beatdown that left the silver and black bruised and battered. We’re beyond blaming Al Davis at this point. The entire organization needs to start over from scratch.

Chief concerns – Why is Brady Quinn still allowed to play quarterback? Matt Cassel is bad, but Quinn is miserable. The Chiefs are going to be selecting in the top 5 next April. Now is the time to roll the dice on a young signal-caller. Signing one-year wonders from other teams and/or aging veterans at the end of their careers has proven to be imprudent and yet that’s all Kansas City does. Show the fans you care about winning by trying to develop a franchise quarterback. Oh, and fire Romeo Crennel.

Finally, Flacco! – Joe Flacco has been horrendous on the road his entire career. On Sunday, when his team needed him to, he finally got his act together and dissected the Chargers to the tune of 355 yards and one touchdown. He was still awful in the first half, but he rebounded nicely down the stretch and in overtime. For the Ravens to have any shot of reaching the Super Bowl, Flacco must channel this performance in January.

Big Blue is fine – A bye week and drubbing of the Packers can do wonders for a team. The Giants looked listless during their two-game slide, but all is once again well with the defending champs. Eli looked calm, Ahmad Bradshaw looked spry and Hakeem Nicks didn’t get hurt. Winter is coming and that’s when the G-Men are at their best.