The Final Word: NFL Week 11 Takeaways– Are the 49ers back? The Browns are ‘sneaky’ dangerous
The Final Word: NFL Week 11 Takeaways– Are the 49ers back? The Browns are ‘sneaky’ dangerous
The 49ers look to be back with that elite offensive display from Brock Purdy, and with the Browns defensive dominance, can an average quarterback get it done if the playoffs started today?
With the elite offensive display from Brock Purdy, the 49ers appear to be back in full force. However, considering the Browns' defensive dominance, one wonders if an average quarterback can still come through if the playoffs started today.
The NFL Sunday came and went without leaving a lasting impression. Despite that, I'll still provide you with the details. On Sunday, six out of the eight home teams emerged victorious, resulting in a lack of major upsets. However, the AFC North showcased a classic defensive showdown, the Detroit Lions staged an impressive comeback, and a number of coaches faced increased scrutiny due to disappointing losses.
In the afternoon games, you were captivated by the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills pulling off remarkable wins with astonishing outcomes, while the Los Angeles Rams prevailed through sheer determination as the Seattle Seahawks' dreams were shattered by a missed game-winning field goal in the dying moments.
Do you remember when people used to complain that the Lions play every Thanksgiving? Come on, man, why is it always the Lions? Is there no one else in the NFL who can offer a decent level of competition? Well, on Thanksgiving, you won’t find that to entirely be the case, with Detroit kicking off the triple-header on Thursday by hosting the Packers and doing so with a team that has the better record, and by a few games, might I add. How many times have you heard that over the past twenty years?
Game of the Week: Philadelphia at Kansas City
Yes, it's been a long fifteen days since the Chiefs last took the field. In the game held in Frankfurt, Kansas City emerged victorious over Miami with a final score of 21-14. However, it was notable that only two of the touchdowns were credited to the offense, while Mahomes' fumble led to a short-field touchdown for the Dolphins. This followed a random loss at Denver, leaving them with a sense of unpredictability. Needless to say, the anticipation is high among NFL fans to see how the Chiefs will perform in this game, considering they have only scored 23 offensive points in the last eight quarters. Despite their reputation for a strong offense, the team has appeared sluggish this year. With 8 interceptions, Mahomes has shown some vulnerability amidst his impressive 17 touchdown passes. Kelce leads the pack with 57 receptions, leaving Rashee Rice in a distant second place with 32 catches. Surprisingly, the Chiefs manage to gain an impressive average of 368.7 yards per game, ranking 8th in the league.
Mahomes is relying on his two 23-year-old second-round receivers, Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore, to step up their game immediately, otherwise, the rest of the season will prove to be extremely difficult. According to many Chiefs fans, the trade of Tyreek Hill had a positive impact on team chemistry, but even a year-and-a-half later, his absence is still palpable during football games. Despite the speed of his wide receivers, Rice and Moore, who both run impressive 4.5- and 4.4-second forties, Mahomes has struggled to connect with downfield targets. In order to counter the Eagles' coverage plan, Mahomes may have to forcefully target Travis Kelce. KC's passing attack was dampened by the absence of Kelce against Miami, who only received four targets. Playing against Kansas City is advantageous for the Eagles right now, but I don't anticipate any struggles from Reid and Mahomes after their two weeks of preparation.
Should you be worried about Jared Goff’s ball security looking ahead?
Goff had a string of unfortunate interceptions, including one where the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage and another where illegal contact went unnoticed. Conversely, Goff had a stroke of luck when Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed a golden opportunity for an interception on the goal line. Goff's decision-making has been solid, minimizing any potential dangers to the ball. The most impressive part of this game was Goff's ability to collect himself and lead the Lions with two late scores to secure the win. In previous seasons, he may have spiraled (no pun intended), but his resilience shone through on this day. Goff's season is reminiscent of Pro Bowl-caliber play.
Does DaRon Bland's evolution go beyond being a feel-good feature for the 7-3 Cowboys looking at a serious playoff run?
With a gritty 17-play, 70-yard drive, the Panthers fought their way back into the game, reducing the deficit to 17-10. In response, the Cowboys launched a relentless offensive assault, driving 75 yards in just eight plays. Tony Pollard's 21-yard scoring run sealed the deal, making it 24-10. With a perfectly timed interception, Bland undercut Jonathan Mingo's route, regained his balance, and sprinted the remaining 30 yards to secure the victory.
A mere two months ago, Dallas’s defense was off to an absolutely torrid two-game start; corner Trevon Diggs tore his ACL in practice (less than two months after signing a five-year, $97 million extension) and left Dan Quinn’s unit with a significant hole and questions to answer. Bland has dramatically filled that hole, giving you a clear indication of their presence. What truly matters is the defense's ability to adapt to the departure of a key playmaking cornerback, and Bland's influence is evident in that.
Normally, I wouldn't consider a cornerback worth discussing when recapping the weekend, but this one deserves recognition. Bland's performance this year has been incredibly impressive and deserves recognition.
Russell Wilson is playing at a better level than people can comprehend
Regrettably, Wilson's performance no longer mirrors that of the elite playmaker we admired in his prime, nor does he resemble the gunslinger with four consecutive 30-touchdown seasons.
With Sean Payton's guidance, Wilson has successfully regained his efficiency as a passer. Yes, it can get dull at times, but let's not forget that a win is a win, regardless of the level of excitement.
With a completion rate of 69.0%, he's on track to achieve his best career performance. His current trajectory suggests that he will reach 3,500 yards passing. He has already surpassed his total number of touchdown passes from last year by three, reaching a total of 19, and has thrown four fewer interceptions, reducing the count to just four. His passer rating of 104.0 places him fourth in the NFL rankings.
The air was filled with the sound of footballs being caught as Wilson connected with seven different receivers on Sunday night. Plus, they have Wilson, a quarterback with a keen eye for opportunity. This was evident in his game-winning touchdown throw to Courtland Sutton, who showcased his prowess by out-muscling the entire opposing secondary for the catch.
Now, there’s still plenty of football left to be played, so things can change, but for the time being; they are at the top of their game and in the standings for a wild-card spot (way to early playoffs seeding coming soon).
Ron Rivera, Brandon Staley, and Frank Reich - who is feeling the most heat as a coach right now?
Despite having ample time, Staley and Rivera still struggle to get things right. Both coaches prioritize defense, but their teams' defensive performances have been disappointing. Once again, quarterback Justin Herbert delivered an impressive performance, but the Chargers were unable to make the most of it. With an elite quarterback, the amount of losses like this would make it difficult to hold onto your job. Despite a subpar performance, Howell's overall play has been uplifting. The Commanders, meanwhile, made DeVito, who has struggled this season, appear like a legitimate NFL QB. Reich is in his first year. Despite the looming threat of being fired at the end of the season, he has a period of time to exhibit growth in his offensive skills.
The San Francisco 49ers won convincingly, are they “back” as it looks to move past its recent struggles?
Once again this week, the 49ers showcased their strength on both offense and defense. Brock Purdy can breathe a sigh of relief now that he has his key weapons, particularly his All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, back in the lineup. Not to mention, Purdy looks dramatically more confident and otherworldly effective when he has his full supporting cast. Coach Kyle Shanahan may have his best offense in San Francisco, and it's quite impressive. Purdy brings a significant improvement compared to Jimmy Garoppolo, while Brandon Aiyuk, who recorded 156 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, solidifies their position as a top-tier receiver. And let's not overlook the sheer dominance displayed by the 49ers’ defense. Despite the worrisome three-game losing streak, it appears that all is well in San Francisco, and they may soon continue their winning streak in the upcoming game.
Do the Browns have the necessary quarterback with their elite defense?
Dorian Thompson-Robinson went out and put on a display of his abilities. He initially spotted Elijah Moore in a gap in the coverage, gaining 15 yards. He connected with Kareem Hunt on a short pass, gaining five yards in the flat. With Dustin Hopkins nailing a 34-yard game-winning field goal, Cleveland clinched a 13-10 win and improved their record to 7-3, leaving Thompson-Robinson impressed. It’s far from him blowing up the scene in preseason, but it got the job done, and that’s all you can ask for.
One notable detail to mention is the potential arrival of 38-year-old former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, who joined the team on Monday. I don’t see the Browns going with Flacco; this is DTR’s job to lose.
That's because he doesn't have to possess the experience of a seasoned playoff quarterback. The rest of the team is packed with extraordinary players who can execute a play with remarkable precision. The Steelers struggled to advance beyond midfield, managing to do so only three times out of their 13 possessions. Despite a challenging Steelers defense, the run game was relatively quiet, managing just 93 yards.
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