The second week of November and the NFL season is officially in double-digit weeks. With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, the playoff contenders are counting their blessings. The teams on the bubble at this point of the season are looking for blessings in disguise, anyway, they can. While the teams who have already seen their post-season aspirations dashed are looking to survive the games remaining on their respective schedules without suffering major injuries. At the same time trying to play spoilers to add a few highlights to their otherwise disappointing season, even if for pride, if nothing else.
Stunner in South Beach
Thursday Night’s matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins was predicted by the overwhelming majority to be a somewhat easy victory for Lamar Jackson and company. The Dolphins and especially their defense took that personally. The Dolphins won 22-10 to keep with the trend of the last three weeks. 1-5 Jets beat the 5-2 Bengals, 1-6 Jaguars beat the 5-2 Bills, 2-6 Giants beat the 5-2 Raiders, 2-7 Dolphins beat the 6-2 Ravens, and 2-6 Washington beat the 6-2 Bucs.
He’s Back!!!
Former NFL MVP as a quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton, signed last week after losing Sam Darnold to injury. Phillip Walker got the start, but Newton got his opportunities and made the most of them. On his first snap, he scored a rushing touchdown. He promptly let it be known that he was back, complete with a taunting penalty he got removing his helmet. On his next snap, he threw a touchdown pass. The Panthers routed the Arizona Cardinals 34-10.
Not a Win but not a Loss
The league’s lone remaining winless team the Detroit Lions got a gift of sorts leading up to their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was announced out due to Covid protocols. That alone increased their chances to get their first win. This game was far from mistake-free, especially in overtime, where it appeared nobody wanted to win, and well neither team did, with the game ending in a tie.
Alabama vs. Alabama
Sunday’s Philadelphia Eagles game against the Denver Broncos featured the first NFL head-to-head matchup against former Alabama teammates and fellow 2021 first-round picks, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and cornerback Patrick Surtain. Smith and the Eagles came away with the 30-13 win. Smith scored a pair of touchdowns both against Surtain. The Eagles’ defense stood tall at crucial times.
Game Ball
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach and current Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had this game circled on his calendar. His current team held his former, to just three points. On top of that his defense held the Falcons to just 214 yards and intercepted Matt Ryan twice. Quinn was awarded the game ball at the conclusion of the Cowboys’ 40 point win.
Mac Attack
Mac Jones threw three touchdown passes, completing 19 of his 23 pass attempts, in the New England Patriots 45-7 blowout of the Cleveland Browns. Defensively the Patriots held the Browns to just over 200 yards, and the Browns only converted one of their eleven third-down attempts. The Browns were without running back Nick Chubb and quarterback Baker Mayfield went down with another injury in the game.
Danger-Rust
Russell Wilson, who missed the last three games after having surgery on the middle finger of his throwing hand, returned against the Green Bay Packers. Wilson and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who missed last week after testing positive for COVID-19 both looked rusty. Rodgers rebounded as the game went on, but Wilson didn’t. Resulting in the Seahawks being shut out for the first time with Wilson leading the offense.
451
The Packers’ win on Sunday moved them back into the top spot for most wins by a franchise with their 451st. They leapfrogged their bitter rival the Chicago Bears, who were on their bye. Another historic mark by one of the league’s oldest franchises. This will indeed be an interesting side note to watch as the season and beyond plays out. Making their head-to-head matchups even more enticing.
Allen to Diggs
After last week’s upset loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Buffalo Bills were looking to rebound against the New York Jets. Josh Allen and the offense righted the ship. Allen threw for 366 yards, with 162 going to Stefon Diggs on eight catches in the 45-17 thrashing of the Jets. The Bills defense intercepted Jets quarterback Mike White four times.
Second Times the Charm
Taylor Heinicke in his first NFL start was close to upsetting Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last year’s wildcard game. On Sunday he made the most of his second matchup against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Behind a stellar defensive performance that included two interceptions, Heinicke and the Washington Football Team came away with the 29-19. Albeit not unscathed, they lost reigning Rookie of the Year Chase Young for the season to an ACL injury.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
