NFL Week 11 Review: By Kyle Balfour

With Week 11 concluded, the looming finale month of the year that is December is within grasp.

After this week, Thanksgiving will be here, and so will the inevitable Black Friday. Something that is desperately trying to catch on here in the U.K. but I don't think many of the British public care that much about consumerist greed as much as Americans do. Last years Black Friday was abysmally bad and forgettable. So let's hope it stays that way (now cyber Monday, I'm all over that shit!)

But enough about seasonal gluttony, let's delve into the week that was with this review of Week 11!

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanian
Result: Steelers 40-17 Titans
Kyle Said: Steelers (1-0)
Stuart Said: Steelers (1-0)


See Steelers? That is what you are capable of!

So I harp on the Steelers a lot - mostly because the players are a little on the insufferable side, and the losses they did suffer were incredibly embarrassing, but they are still 8-2 and a sure-bound winner for the AFC North.

This was a fine display, showcasing the talent that the Steelers are capable of. Antonio Brown with a MVP calibre level performance, and the Steelers defence giving Mariotta a very hard time, pressuring him to throw countless interceptions. The Titans are still very much in underdog status, and this game showed it.

Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Result: Browns 7-19 Jaguars
Kyle Said: Jaguars (2-0)
Stuart Said: Jaguars (2-0)


This should've been a cakewalk for the Jags, but instead they decided like a big brother toying with their younger sibling to give the Browns a sense of staying in it. Then when it stops being funny, the Jags stop pulling up and get something done in the 4th. Nothing much else to say about this one. Jags advance with a 4 win streak, a stronger road record than their home equivalent, and the 0-16 parade dream is still on!

In the meantime, you can check out this article detailing how the Browns could make the playoffs if these measly 46 things occur:

http://dailysnark.com/0-10-cleveland-browns-can-still-make-playoffs-46-things-happen-2/

After glossing over the requirements, it's actually not too bad...except for a few things:

1. The Browns would have to win 6 games in a row - a feat they haven't done since 1972...
2. It's reliant on yet another 2 tie season following from last year (remember those? The kicker suicide game between the Seahawks and the Cardinals that ended in an abysmal 6-6; and the Wembley game between the Redskins and the Bengals the following week?) Ignoring that anomaly and taking into consideration that with the current overtime model, you're bound for at least 1 overtime per season. 2 is rare (last one was 1997), but back-to-back 2 tie seasons? Boys will dream.
3. Week 14's pretty fucked.

Many would laugh and shrug this off as completely far-fetched, but we here at GoForItOnFourth love mathematical probability. Let's see if it pays off...

Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
Result: Dolphins 20-30 Buccaneers
Kyle Said: Buccaneers (3-0)
Stuart Said: Buccaneers (3-0)


So 10 weeks later, we finally get the Battle of Florida (well one variant, at least...) with no bothersome natural disasters to get in the way this time...

Jay Cutler continued to do what he does best. Throw and not give a shit where it lands. 3 interceptions, completes half his throws and gets himself a concussion, something he and the NFL has to care about (unless you're Russell Wilson...).

Fitzpatrick holds it together well enough for the Bucs. It's all down to the wire until the game winning field goal swings it the Bucs way; plus they get another touchdown after the Dolphins desperation, lateral-laden final drive fails miserably.

Green Bay Packers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Result: Packers 0-23 Ravens
Kyle Said: Ravens (4-0)
Stuart Said: Ravens (4-0)


Nope, nevermind, they relapsed!

Good greif, Packers. Blown out by the sputtering Ravens at Lambeau? That's embarrassing.

Brett Hundley is not your saviour, and you are unfortunately giving so much fuel to the argument fire of how your team performs without Aaron Rodgers...and even I have to sadly agree. The team is a husk without him under centre. You've still got him for a good couple more years, and he's still an elite talent QB, but you are going to go through one hell of an exodus when he eventually retires.

You're 5-5, with a relatively tough schedule ahead. Sorry to say, but I don't think playoffs are in your future this year.

Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Result: Bears 24-27 Lions
Kyle Said: Lions (5-0)
Stuart Said: Lions (5-0)


We interrupt your usually predicted 4th quarter comeback magic to bring you 2nd quarter comeback magic instead...doesn't have the same ring to it...

Bears take an early lead, but the Lions pull it back just before the half time. What follows after is a slog of back and fourthing, and Connor Barth absolutely shanking a game tying field goal attempt.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Result: Vikings 24-7 Rams
Kyle Said: Rams (5-1)
Stuart Said: Rams (5-1)


What a game we have on paper here. The Vikings - despite injury crippled, are holding it together in the most spectacular fashion. Grit does not begin to describe the effort the Vikings have displayed, and Case Keenum is certainly making a name for himself, and today they face the re-energised Rams, who are emulating their stellar Superbowl run from years ago, and look like an incredible force of a football team.

The Vikings have solved how to stop the Rams - shut down Todd Gurley. Strangling the run game forced Goff to think quickly on his feet, and the results were sadly sub par. The Vikings defence continuously pressured the Rams, while Keenum dishes out passes to many a receiver target.

An incredible victory for the Vikings - who may have finally found that magical word that has been missing from them for so long: consistency. Despite injuries riddling some of their top players, they are holding it together superbly. The NFC North is yours for the taking.

While this may set the Rams back a little bit, they're still on par to win their division as well, mostly due to the Seahawks having a few setbacks themselves. They'll be fine.

Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Result: Texans 31-21 Cardinals
Kyle Said: Cardinals (5-2)
Stuart Said: Cardinals (5-2)


So had I known that Drew Stanton was also out for this game, I probably would've changed my prediction, but hey, You roll with what you're given, so let's get into this!

So who's up to replace Stanton? Blaine Gabbert...the guy who shared the limelight with Colin Kaepernick while at the Niners...Oh, sweet jesus. He was servicable, thank god, but sadly it wasn't enough to best the slowly dying Texans, who showed that Tom Savage could also act serviceable. Now you have your running back D'onta Foreman out as well...

Seriously, even if you manage to snag a wildcard position, you're in no condition for playoff contention. You need rest!

New York Giants vs. Kansas City Chiefs
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Result: Giants 12-9 Chiefs (OT)
Kyle Said: Chiefs (5-3)
Stuart Said: Chiefs (5-3)


...

...

Don't make do this...

...

...

...

*Sigh* Fine.

Am I happpy to see the Giants win? Obviously. Am I glad they beat the Chiefs, who were scorching hot to start off, and have now cooled off dramatically? Yes. Did I want them to win? FUCK NO!

Like I have said constantly, the season is done. It's done. There is nothing to play for by winning. All we are doing is driving down our draft stock (we currently sit third for drafting, with a vast selection of teams in contention for 4th based on wins...), I do not want this team to continue this. We have a ton of injured players that will be back in action next season, replacing a few on our current roster: which is now mostly just made up of practice squad signings, people they picked up off the street, sub par running backs, Landon Collins, and Eli Manning.

On the other hand, Roger Lewis' catch to set up the game winning field goal was incredible, and it was just hilarious to see the Chiefs piss this one away with complete ineptitude.

So where to go from here? Well I can really only see the Giants winning against the Cardinals (if a corpse like the Texans can do it, the Giants have no choice but to win), so I have to be ok with that. The Redskins and Raiders have been very meh lately, with the Cowboys also beginning to struggle, so I hope the Giants can lose in grace.

New Orleans Saints vs. Washington Redskins
Mecedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Missouri
Result: Saints 34-31 Redskins (OT)
Kyle Said: Saints (6-3)
Stuart Said: Saints (6-3)


YouBlewIt.GIF

So the Redskins take an 11 point lead in the 4th quarter after Jeremy Sprinkle gets his first touchdown on his first catch with just under 6 minutes to go on what has essentially been a back-and-fourth between the 2 offensive heavy teams, as the Redskins slowly edge out a lead. Should be over, right? ...

Leave it to Brees! Drew Brees charges down the field, lobbing out 2 touchdown passes in 4 minutes and 53 seconds, tying the game up, forcing overtime, and the Saints win it on Wil Lutz's foot. What a comeback!

I expected the game to go a little something like that, maybe not as drastic as that comeback was, but both teams looked solid. Yards were off the charts in this game, as both teams racked up 300 throwing yards a piece, and over 150 in running yards. Incredible game, with an incredible comeback!

As what is becoming a regular occurrence this season, yet another injury comes our way. Redskins running back Chris Thompson out for the season...

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills
StubHub Centre, Carson, California
Result: Chargers 54-24 Bills
Kyle Said: Chargers (7-3)
Stuart Said: Chargers (7-3)


So a struggling Bills squad desperate for playoffs decides drastic times need drastic measures. After a career low in total yards for Tyrod Taylor in their humiliation by the Saints powerhouse, they start their draft pick quarterback Nathan Peterman against the Chargers. What could possibly go wrong?

The result was 6/14 on pass completions, 66 yards (only 10 more than Taylor last game), and 5 interceptions, tying the record for most interceptions in a quarterbacks first start (tied with Keith Null). Ohh dear...

So an incredibly disappointing first half for the Bills, who then shove Taylor in for the second half. He salvages what he can, but the damage is already done, and the Chargers destroy the Bills, with the second highest individual team points of the season so far.

So a very charged (pun!) up Chargers squad is starting to look competent, while the Bills are even more desperate than ever.

Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Result: Broncos 17-20 Bengals
Kyle Said: Broncos (7-4)
Stuart Said: Broncos (7-4)


So the quarterback issues for the Broncos continue as the half cocked Bengals squeak out a victory in what was a very, very lame piece of football. I really don't have much to say on this one, the Broncos are in a total mess right now, as their losing streak continues to 6, and the Bengals are...well, the Bengals. A rebuild is certainly needed in Cincinnati.

How do the Broncos respond to these issues? Fire offensive coordinator Mike McCoy! Desperate times up in Mile High...

Oakland Raiders vs. New England Patriots
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Result: Raiders 8-33 Patriots
Kyle Said: Patriots (8-4)
Stuart Said: Patriots (8-4)


Oh, hey, A Mexican NFL exhibition match! Fun.

What wasn't fun was watching the Raiders. Their defensive struggles continued as they were picked apart by the Patriots. Tom Brady and Bradin Cooks had excelente nights at the expense of the Raiders.

Now the Raiders go and fire their defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. Must be pretty dire for a move like that. While the Raiders can still very much make the playoffs, and still posses a well balanced offence, it's looking a little bleak down in Raider Nation... 


Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Result: Cowboys 8-37 Eagles
Kyle Said: Eagles (9-4)
Stuart Said: Eagles (9-4)


Ohh, boy, what a beat down. In the house that Jerry built, too...

First half was a little bit of slump, but like a firework waiting for the fuse to burn, the Eagles awoke and trampled the Cowboys non-stop. The Eagles continue their rampant hot streak, while the Cowboys continue to slog in misery and confusion.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Result: Seahawks 31-34 Falcons
Kyle Said: Falcons (10-4)
Stuart Said: Falcons (10-4)


So a nice little back and fourth game between these 2 teams. Falcons start the scoring, but Seattle creeps back in to keep it alive. It all comes down to the wire, with the game resting on the foot of Blair Walsh...where have I heard that one before?

Just like his infamous slice against his current team that led to his cast out from Minnesota in last years playoffs, his attempt was cut just short of distance to the goal. Falcons win, and Blair Walsh continues his reputation of highly inconsistent.

Aaaand Boom! Week 11 is complete! Let's check the scores:

After this week, we both sit at an admirable 10-4, bringing the totals to:

Kyle: 94-66

Stuart: 98-62

Still not enough to close the gap, but i'm hoping some upsets next week will close it down (or widen it, either or...)

So thank you very much for reading, Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends across the pond, and see you next time for our preview of Week 12!

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