Hot Takes: NFL Week Eleven

It’s Thanksgiving week, which means it’s time for turkey and HOT TAKES! 

1. Packers Top Vikings

You knew the Packers would figure it out. Even though Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a great game, he still threw for two touchdowns and Eddie Lacy had his first 100 game of the season. While the offense played great against a very good Vikings defense, the Packers defense really deserves a lot of credit for holding Adrian Peterson to just 45 yards and a fumble.

The Packers and Vikings now have the same record, but the Packers hold the tie-breaker thanks to this victory. The NFC North is far from locked up. The Packers have a slightly tougher remaining schedule, but all signs point to the final game of the season between the two teams in Green Bay as being for the division crown. 

2. Romo Returns, Cowboys Win

I guess Greg Hardy’s karma finally turned good as the Cowboys finally won a game with him in the lineup. I’m sure it was his karma turning around and had nothing to do with Tony Romo returning to the lineup. Romo wasn’t perfect, he threw two picks, but an imperfect Romo is still better than the guys they’ve trotting out at quarterback the past couple of weeks. It certainly helped that they were playing a bad Dolphins team who couldn’t stop the run.

Now the Cowboys take on my undefeated Panthers on Thanksgiving. And I must admit, I’m very worried about this game. Road teams usually don’t play well on the short week and the Cowboys are desperate and still alive in the NFC East. If karma truly exists, Jonathan Stewart will run over Hardy on every single play en route to a 200 yard game and a comfortable Panthers win. But karma only exists for people looking to validate something that can otherwise be explained. 

3. Eagles Falling Apart

I picked the Eagles to do well this year. I thought they were the most intriguing team heading into the season and that Chip Kelly’s offense would be exactly what he wanted it to be now that he had his players.

I was wrong.

The Eagles are a mess. Sam Bradford, who wasn’t playing great to begin with, got hurt because Sam Bradford always gets hurt, DeMarco Murray is a non-factor, I don’t know who their receivers are, and their defense is in shambles. I reported that Chip Kelly was on the hot seat weeks ago, but now it looks like the seat is on fire. The Eagles are still in it in the NFC East because the NFC East is garbage, but it’s hard to imagine Chip returning to Philly if the Eagles miss the playoffs. He was given complete player control and he failed. Time to move on.

And of course he’ll likely move on to Tennessee because Marcus Mariota is there and if you haven’t heard, Chip coached Mariota in college. The duo produced zero titles.

4. Peyton Sitting, But Returning

Peyton Manning was benched in favor of Brock Osweiler this past week and he’ll be benched in favor of Brock Osweiler this upcoming week. The team is trying to tell us that it’s injuries, but we all know the truth: Manning has sucked this year and Gary Kubiak wants a guy that can run his offense. So Manning will continue to sit until he’s “healthy.” But if the Broncos knock off the Patriots this week, I’m not sure he’ll actually be “healthy.”

Despite the benching and the season long suckiness, Manning has vowed to return next year. I can’t imagine him returning to the Broncos. He doesn’t fit Kubiak’s system and he’s never played well in cold weather. He needs to go to a team that plays in a dome and for a coach who will build the system around him. You know who fits the bill? The Lions. Manning would be a damn hero in Detroit if he could win a playoff game for them. 

5. And Still…

The Patriots and Panthers remained undefeated over the weekend. The Panthers took care of business against a mediocre Redskins team, winning by a score of 44-16. The Patriots had a tougher time against a tough Bills team, but in the end, the story was the same for Rex Ryan: he can’t beat Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. It’s ok, Rex. Most teams can’t beat Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Granted you have two chances every year to do it and still fail, but it’s ok, Rex. 

Quick Takes

*The NFL concussion spotter is a new thing this year and it’s already broken. Case Keenum clearly got knocked out at the end of the Rams/Ravens game, but was allowed to stay in the game because reasons. Can the NFL do anything right?

*Speaking of wrong calls, the Bills should’ve been given one more play at the end of the game. Granted it would’ve been a failed pass because Tyrod Taylor was hurt and Rex refused to play All-Pro Quarterback E.J. Manuel, but they still should’ve been given the chance to fail.

*Don’t look now, but Jameis Winston and the Bucs are pretty good.

*Don’t look now, but Matt Ryan and the Falcons are struggling.

*The Raiders seemed so promising to start the year. I guess it was too good to be true because now they’re the Raiders again. At least the future looks bright.

*If you’re a Ravens fan, I give you permission to blame all your struggles on Dustin James. This guy bragged about being a Super Bowl predicting genius before the year, picked the Ravens to win the Super Bowl, and now they’re almost a lock for the first overall pick. No playmakers on defense, no #1 receiver, no running back, and no quarterback. This team is screwed. Thanks, Dustin.

*Poor Cincy. Things were looking so good two weeks ago and now Steve Cook is drinking all the liquor.