Written by Brendon Donohoe
The quick hits edition. Informative and quick, for that reader on the go. Expect my usual witty / snarky remarks, just in shorter context (with a Browns rant exception).
Now on to your NFL week 13 recap.
New York Jets – 23, New York Giants – 20
Where would the Jets be without Brandon Marshall? That offensive runs through Marshall, like how the Vikings offense runs through Adrian Peterson. He doesn’t get enough credit.
As for the Giants, I’m hearing that Tom Coughlin may finally be on the way out in New York. I feel like I hear this rumor every year, but this time it might actually be for real.
Arizona Cardinals – 27, St. Louis Rams – 3
Cardinals stopped the run and went up early, then the Rams collapsed. Is this déjà vu?
Atlanta Falcons – 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 23
Matt Ryan’s season from hell continued Sunday, as he continued to put up mediocre numbers. Though I am starting to wonder if his decline is due more to the new scheme, and not so much because of his ability. Probably a bit of both.
While Ryan declines, Jameis Winston continues to shine. After a rocky start to the season, Jameis has steadily improved throughout the season. So much so that he is even throwing game winning TDs these days.
Seattle Seahawks – 37, Minnesota Vikings – 7
All I’ve been hearing since this game is that the Seahawks are back to their dominate selves. While I’m not ready to give them that kind of praise quite yet, I will say this was a great win. In a few weeks Seattle went from borderline playoff team, to top three in the NFC. Biggest reason why the Seahawks are where they are? The play of Russell Wilson, who has played arguably his best season yet. Minnesota on the other hand looks like a team that is going to be one and done in the playoffs. Unless of course they play the NFC East division winner. Then they would just lose the following playoff game.
Houston Texans – 21, Buffalo Bills – 30
In a battle between two teams clamoring for a playoff spot, the Bills had a season saving victory against a decent Texans team. The Bills offense took it to the talented Texans defense, and won the battle. The victory puts the Bills back in the playoffs, while the Texans will probably need to win the terrible AFC South to clinch a playoff spot.
Baltimore Ravens – 13, Miami Dolphins – 15
What? Matt Schaub threw turned the ball over and cost his team the win? Wow, what a totally unexpected result.
Cincinnati Bengals – 37, Cleveland Browns – 3
The fact that the Bengals won easily, isn’t much of a story. The Bengals are the superior team in every facet of the game. The real story is the disaster that is the Cleveland Browns.
Around week 4, I praised Mike Pettine for sticking with Josh McCown. The Browns had hopes of being a competitive football team at the time, and McCown was playing at a higher level than Johnny Manziel. Fast forward a few weeks to the second injury to McCown. The team was clearly going nowhere, and it was time to see what Manziel could do. Manziel played well, and was eventually awarded the starting job. Shortly after that, Manziel was stripped of the starting job for lying to the team.
Now this is where it gets messy. First mistake was stripping Manziel of the job. This isn’t college where you can punish a player because he goofed. This is the NFL. Fine him, but don’t strip him of the starting gig. Second mistake is when McCown got hurt again, Pettine went with Austin Davis. Holding a grudge against your should be starter is childish. After Davis failed, Pettine named Manziel the starter…again. Pettine could not have handled this situation any more poorly. Only other person in football that could handle a situation as poorly is Roger Goodell. This has been an embarrassment for the franchise. I’ll be shocked if Pettine is the head coach next season. Rant over.
Jacksonville Jaguars – 39, Tennessee Titans – 42
Who would have guessed a game between the Titans the Jags would be so entertaining? Neither team’s defense was anything to brag about, but both teams promising young offensive players shined Sunday. Bortles and Mariota both looked like the franchise QBs their teams hoped they would be, Allen Robinson is already one of the Jags best receivers in franchise history, and Dorial Green-Beckam looked like he is finally ready to show the NFL what he’s got. The future is bright for these two teams.
San Francisco 49ers – 26, Chicago Bears – 20
I’m still in shock that Blaine Gabbert looks like a competent QB. 2-2 as a starter this year? Madness I say.
Denver Broncos – 17, San Diego Chargers – 3
Fear the Brock! (and the best defense in the NFL)
Kansas City Chiefs – 34, Oakland Raiders – 20
The Raiders playoff odds may have officially been squashed, but this season has been a huge step forward for them. With some (ok a lot) defensive improvement, this team could be ending its playoff drought sooner than later.
The Chiefs though will definitely be going to the playoffs. Currently on a 6 game winning streak, I expect to Chiefs to keep on winning and go into the playoffs with a 10 game winning streak.
Carolina Panthers – 41, New Orleans Saints – 38
In a shocking turn of events, the Saints defense gave up a ton of points, losing the team the game.
Philadelphia Eagles – 35, New England Patriots – 28
Oh how the mighty have fallen. With that Pats banged up, the Eagles came into Foxboro and won thanks to their….special teams? Yup, a punt return and blocked punt pushed the Eagles forward for the win.
Luck is not on the Patriots side as of late. The Patriots are banged up quite badly, which is a problem, but there were a lot of mistakes made in this game by the Patriots. A worrisome sign looking down the road.
I couldn’t move on without showing Tom Brady catching a pass.
Indianapolis Colts – 10, Pittsburgh Steelers – 45
Old man Hasselbeck finally looked old Sunday, as the Colts got stomped by the Steelers. Steeler’s offensive is looking nasty right now.
Also, this may be new favorite TD celebration.
BONUS ROUND
MNF Record: 6-5
Dallas Cowboys – 19, Washington Redskins – 27
Struggling on my picks as of late, but I could not have asked for a better bounce back game. There is no way I’m taking Matt Cassel on Sunday Night Football. That is all I need to say about that.
Come back next week for the Week 14 recap.
