No video this week. I have a cold and my voice sounds turrible. I might make a video for the Sunday blog. But next Thursday is Thanksgiving so I promise a YouTube video for that.
Six takeaways from Week 11.
1. RGIII stinks
This is starting to become a weekly thing for me. Each week I call a young quarterback awful. First it was Cam Newton, then he and the Panthers started winning. Then it was Colin Kaepernick, who didn't play too well in New Orleans. And now it's onto Robert Griffin III.
I will say this about RG III, I'm not too sure if he's 100% and he probably should have taken more time to heal his knee. However, he has been terrible all season. Last year he only turned the ball over 8 times. He already has 15 turnovers this year. It also seems like he never does anything during the first half in games (5 TDs, 5 INTs). The only reason his stats aren't absolutely dreadful is due to the fact that he throws non-stop in the second half (52 more passing attempts than the 1st half) because they down by a few touchdowns. I'm also more nervous about RG III's future than I am about Kaepernick because he gets destroyed during games. I saw the play below when it happened. I thought he was dead. He could become Mike Vick. Extremely talented out of the pocket but he doesn't know how to take hits and he won't be able to stay healthy throughout his career.
2. I learned nothing new about the Chiefs
Coming into the game I knew the Chiefs had a really good defense and I still believe that. Only letting up 27 points to Peyton Manning and the Broncos isn't horrible. What's a little worrisome though is that the Chiefs haven't recorded a sack in the past two games. That's how they can beat teams with great QBs but if they can't create pressure they have no chance against teams like the Broncos or Patriots. Also before the game I didn't think they had the offense to keep up with the Broncos. That turned out to be true. When Montee Ball scored in the third quarter to make it 24-10 the game was over. Alex Smith is not built to play from behind.
I'm not saying that the Chiefs 9-0 start was a fluke. I think they are a very good football team but there are three or four teams in the AFC that are clearly better than them at this point. The Chiefs might beat the Broncos in two weeks and possibly get the number one seed in the AFC but I would be shocked if they got to the Super Bowl.
3. The Panthers are a damn good team
First off, let's mention the last play of the game. Was it a penalty? Yes. The Patriots did get kind of screwed but even if it was a penalty, holding or pass interference, there was no guarantee that the Patriots were automatically going to score on the final play and win the game. The truth of the matter is that the Carolina Panthers beat the Patriots just like the Jets did in week seven. Patriot fans can point to two blown calls costing them wins but their opponents deserved to win each game.
Now onto the Panthers and the game. The Panthers defense is great. They have only allowed one first half touchdown all year. That's an incredible stat. Also anytime you can keep Lord Brady to 20 points or under you accomplished something. As for Cam Newton, he played great. The 14 yard run he had on third down, where he escaped about five Patriots was a phenomenal effort. The Panthers three touchdown drives were all over 80 yards long, including the game winning drive in the final five minutes. If Cam can keep playing like he has for the past six wins, the Panthers will be among the NFC elite.
4. Jim Schwartz is a hardo
I got a couple of things to say about Jim. First off all I don't think the fake field goal costed the Lions the game. Sure it would have been logical to kick the field goal and go up by a touchdown but even though they failed, the Steelers started with the ball on their own three yard line. If the play had worked they would have gone up by 11 with 12 minutes left in the game, a lead they probably could have held onto. So I have no issue with the gamble on the road.
My issue with Jim Schwartz was during his press conference. He said, "Y'all say whatever you want about me. Ok. Don't say I'm scared. Cause we ain't." Ok... so your not scared. You're a tough guy. That's awesome. Calling a fake field goal has nothing to do with not being scared. Play smart. He's an intense guy but I'm starting to believe he's not the guy that will take the Lions to the next level.
P.S. This is exactly how I feel about the Steelers right now.
They better not lose to the Browns like they did to the Raiders after their other two game win streak.
5. The Jets are something.
I'm not sure what they are but they are something. I've been writing about the Jets all year it seems. I thought I finally had them figured out. They proved me wrong once again last Sunday. They got destroyed by Bills. Embarrassed frankly. Geno was awful, 8 for 23 with 3 interceptions. The defense forced no turnovers and had only one sack. They are now 5-5 and from week to week they are a completely different team. They seem to be the good Jets at home and bad Jets on the road. Next week in Baltimore I'd assume they might not play great but with the 2013 New York Jets you cannot assume anything.
6. Drew Brees has a rubber neck
I've watched that GIF about 5 million times. I'm not sure how Drew BREEEEESSSSSS's head didn't come off. That's not the point of this though. How is that a penalty?
Ahmad Brooks hit him right across the shoulder pads. Yes it looked violent but by the letter of the law I don't think that should have been called. The NFL is going way to far with protecting its players. The referees just throw flags if the play looks bad. This penalty costed the 49ers the game. I've been thinking and saying this for what seems to be a forever, but the NFL in five to ten years is going to be a completely different product. Roger Goodell and league have to be concerned about player safety and I understand that but they are taking it to far and the play on the field is starting to suffer because of it.
Thursday Night Pick
Saints 34, Falcons 26 --- The Falcons have rolled over and died. They got wrecked by the Buccaneers last week. At one point they were losing 38-6 to a team with one win on the season. They have allowed over 30 points for the past three weeks. During their four game losing streak Matt Ryan has 9 interceptions. The only hope for the Falcons is if the Saints overlook this week because they play in Seattle on Monday night for week 13. Even if the Saints do that, they should still be able to leave Atlanta with their ninth win of the year.
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