Ten Things We Learned On The NFL’s Eleventh Sunday

Added on Nov 22, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

Jacksonville Jaguars v Green Bay Packers

The contenders and pretenders are making themselves known in the NFL. The Steelers, Packers, Bucs, Saints and Falcons took the blowout route to victory, while the Jets, Jaguars, Patriots and Eagles went down to the wire to secure wins. Passing ruled the day once again as eight quarterbacks eclipsed 300 yards and eight wide receivers scored multiple touchdowns. There was much to be learned on the eleventh Sunday. Ten things to be exact.

10. The Bungals are back! – At halftime, the Bengals led the Bills 31-14. Final score: Buffalo 49, Cincinnati 31. When the offense clicks, the defense flops. When the defense is stout, the offense lays an egg. I’m not sure how much of the blame should be placed on Marvin Lewis’s shoulders, but he’ll likely be the one asked to fall on his sword when the season mercifully ends.

9. The Jaguars won’t go away – The most unassuming 6-4 team in the league has to be the Jags. They’re beating up on crap opponents, but the combo of MJD and David Garrard are doing just enough to come out ahead. It won’t be easy to land a playoff spot in the crowded AFC. The next three games will decide their fate: at the Giants, at the Titans and home to the Raiders. Good luck, Jacksonville.

8. The Chiefs are a fraud – Looking over the Chiefs six wins thus far, the only that stands out as being impressive is week one versus San Diego, and that’s a stretch considering it was the opening game. With three division opponents remaining on the schedule, they are still in the driver’s seat for the postseason, but not facing any of the AFC’s elite will hurt them at some point.

7. Aaron Rodgers got his revenge – In two victories over the Vikings, Rodgers passed for 596 yards, six scores and a pair of interceptions. Meanwhile, his counterpart and former teammate Brett Favre tossed for 420 yards, one score and four picks. Something tells me Mr. Rodgers will be smiling for days knowing that he had a large part in hammering the final nail in Minnesota’s season.

6. There’s a problem in Houston – Once upon a time the Texans were 4-2. After four consecutive defeats, including back-to-back heartbreakers, they are 4-6 and all but finished. Injuries and one of the worst secondaries in the history of the league are to blame for the collapse. Will it cost head coach Gary Kubiak his job? Probably. At the very least don’t expect defensive coordinator Frank Bush to be retained.

5. The Steelers are a-okay – The hiccup against the Pats a week ago appears to be an anomaly. After destroying the Raiders on Sunday, the mighty Steelers are primed for another winter push toward the postseason. With two of the last five Super Bowl titles, it’s safe to assume nobody in the AFC wants to see this battle tested team in January.

4. Vince Young needs diapers – Another Vince Young injury led to another classic Vince Young meltdown. Right now, the torn tendon in his throwing thumb is the smallest of his problems. He chucked his shoulder pads/jersey into the stands, argued with Jeff Fisher in the locker room and bolted minutes after the game ended. If cooler heads don’t prevail, VY might be playing elsewhere in 2011.

3. The Bucs are ballin’ – A shutout? Completely stifling Frank Gore? A 7-3 record? Raheem Morris’s young Bucs just keep rolling. However, like the Chiefs, they have no signature wins to speak of. Baltimore and Atlanta are upcoming, so we’ll find out just how legit the pewter pants really are.

2. The Patriots of old have returned – Remember when the Pats were winning Super Bowls by playing small ball on offense? Well, those guys are back. Since the Randy Moss trade, they are 5-1 and lead the league in scoring at 28.9 points per game. If Belichick can clean up the pass defense, don’t be surprised if this team is playing in Dallas come February.

1. Michael Vick isn’t Superman, but he doesn’t need to be – What does a quarterback do for an encore after accounting for six touchdowns six days earlier? How about beat a division rival at home to take the lead in the NFC East? Vick was pedestrian in disposing of the hated Giants, but he remains undefeated at 5-0 in games he has started and finished.