It's kind of weird to kick off an NFL blog in week 13. But oh well, here are 15 things we learned from Sunday's slate of games. Be sure to click on the hyperlinks for additional content.
#1 Charlie Batch Is Not Just A Punchline For Our Jokes
I'm by no means jumping on the Charlie Batch bandwagon. The Steelers (7-5) desperately need Roethlisberger back, as much as any team needs any single player. But Batch has been a serviceable backup in this league for a long time. There's a reason he still has a contract at the age of 37. He completed about 70% of his throws and racked up 276 yards, every single one of which Pittsburgh needed to beat Baltimore on the road.
#2 The Ravens (9-3), At This Moment, Aren't A Legit Super Bowl Contender
Just like the Batch story, this is not something to over-react to. It's not something to be ignored either. The Ravens lost to a hobbled Steelers team playing a 3rd string QB. Consider this: the Ravens beat the Patriots on a blown field goal call. They beat the Chargers on a blown call as well (that 4th and 29 was incredible but Rice was short and the refs missed a block in the back). They also have 3 more wins by 3 points or less. Their only convincing win was when they blew out the Bengals in the opener. They need to get healthy, give the ball to Rice more, and Flacco needs to play at a more consistent level or this team is in trouble in the playoffs.
#3 Mark Sanchez SHOULD Be Done As The QB Of The Jets (5-7)
In the only notable storyline of perhaps the most boring NFL game in years, Mark Sanchez was pulled in the second half against the Cardinals (4-8). This move was long overdue. Sanchez left the game with a completion rate below 50% and 3 INT's. Former Alabama QB and 7th rounder Greg McElroy came in due to a rib injury to Tim Tebow and managed to not turn the ball over and hand it off enough times for the Jets to come away with a 7-6 victory. Rex Ryan hasn't announced his starter for next week. While McElroy isn't the answer for the future either is Mark Sanchez. Ryan should go with McElroy if Tebow is hurt. Sanchez is a lost cause. McElroy may not have the physical tools but at least he doesn't constantly turn it over.
#4 The Patriots (9-3) Are More Than Just A Dominant Aerial Attack
In what was a rare off day for Tom Brady the Patriots still managed to beat the Dolphin (5-7) and clinch the AFC East for the 9th time in the lat 10 years. Brady leaned on Wes Welker (12 grabs, 103 yards, TD) and Aaron Hernandez (8 grabs, 97 yards) but without a doubt had one of the worst game of the season. He got sacked 4 times and threw a pick, both rarities for the future Hall of Famer. But the Pats were able to get solid but unspectacular running from Stevan Ridley with nice relief from Danny Woodhead. The defense shut down a motivated Ryan Tannehill as well. Ye, the Dolphins basically beat themselves out of playoff contention with special team mistakes (a dropped snap on a punt and a roughing the kicker) but the Patriots proved they can win games even when Brady doesn't light up the scoreboard. This could be critical in potential bad weather playoff games.
#5 Alex Smith Should Be The 49ers (8-3-1) QB
I'm not just saying this because of the Niners loss this week to the Rams (5-6-1). I said it three weeks ago when the issue was first brought up, the 49ers have a better chance at winning it all THIS YEAR if Alex Smith is their quarterback. Yes, David Akers missed a field goal in OT. Yes, Delanie Walker dropped what should have been the winning TD. Yes, Harbaugh made some bad calls. But there's no denying that the main reason San Francisco lost was because of Colin Kaepernick's mistakes. His flashy 50 yard scramble and impressive completion rate need to take a backseat to his stupid intentional grounding play in the end zone (safety) and terrible decision and attempted pitch that was recovered by Janoris Jenkin of the Rams and brought in the end zone for the game tying TD. Side Note: the Rams appear to be a thorn in Harbaugh's side and rookie CB Jenkins has played great as of late. Watch out for them next season if they can find some firepower.
#6 Cam Newton Is Not To Blame For The Panthers (3-9) Struggles
The story in Kansas City was the Chief (2-10) getting a much deserved victory in the wake of tragedy. But on the gridiron it was clear the Panther problem go much deeper than Newton's sophomore slump. They've played a lot of close game this year and could easily be better than 3-9. The O-Line can't block and the defense can't tackle or cover anybody. Cam's never going to be in the high 60's in terms of completion %. But throwing for 232 yards and 3 TD's and chipping in 78 rushing yards should be enough to win most games, especially against the Chiefs. Newton still needs to mature a bit and obviously he's not having as good of a year as he did as a rookie. But blaming him for the Panthers record, child please!
#7 Calm Down, The Texans (11-1) Still Have An Elite Defense
After getting picked apart by Chad Henne and Matthew Stafford and nearly losing the last two weekss the Texans defense came back strong in their 24-10 win over the Titans (4-8). Additionally, the Titans only TD was scored late in the game when Houston was up 24-3 and playing extremely conservative on defense. J.J. Watt is a man playing against boys out there and is the clear frontrunner for Defensive POY and even in MVP talks. They've also been playing without their top cover guy Johnathan Joseph for a while now. With Baltimore losing the Texans appear destined to get home field advantage in the AFC. I would not want to go against this defense on the road.
#8 The Vikings (6-6) Might Be The League' Worst Team If Not For Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson dominated against the Packers (8-4). 210 yards and a TD on 21 carries is incredible. AP has been on a tear all year and is over 1,400 yard with 4 games left. With Arian Foster's off day, he basically locked up the rushing title. What's even more amazing is he's less than a year removed from a torn ACL. Sadly for him, the Viking are a mess offensively without Percy Harvin and Jared Allen seems to be the only impact player on the other side of the ball. I know it was just a year ago where they spent a first round pick on QB Christian Ponder. Ponder started off strong but his recent struggle and high number of pick has to make you wonder if he's the QB of the future.
#9 Every Team Could Use A Little (Andrew) Luck
What was that? The Colts (8-4) won another nail-biter. Andre Luck threw for over 100 yards and 2 TD's in the final 3 minutes to lead his club to victory over the Lions (4-8). Luck struggled through most of the game. At one point he had completed less than 33% of his passes and had 3 INT's. But none of that matters. Luck stepped up in the clutch and finished with a crazy 391 yards and 4 TD's. Yes, he needs to cut down on his INT's but he's only a rookie. He's carried virtually the same roster that won 2 games last year to the brink of the playoff. He also has 5 game-winning TD drives in the 4th quarter or OT already. The Colts are winning games on his arm that is likely to have over 4,300 yards this season. And he can run. And how about on the winning TD after he flipped the ball to Avery where he sprinted in front of him trying to make a block? Something tells me we wouldn't have seen RG3 or any other QB for that matter put in that effort. I'm all-in on this kid. The Colts could not have asked for a more talented and headstrong (or chuckstrong?) kid to hand their franchise to.
#10 The Bears (8-4) Might Be Falling Apart And It's Not Because Of The O-Line Or Injuries
What happened to that dominant Bears defense that was scoring more point than the Jets' and Eagles' offense early in the year? After crumbling down the stretch against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks (7-5) questions about the defensive scheme and personnel cannot be ignored. Cutler, Forte, and Marshall are doing their share on the offensive side. In 3 of the Bears 4 losses the defensive struggles can be attributed to their inability to keep athletic quarterbacks in the pocket. Aaron Rodgers, Colin Kaepernick, and Russell Wilson all got outside and made plays when the coverage broke down. Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings are great but they cannot be expected to be defending both their men and the QB every play. The linebackers seem slow (especially washed-up Brian Urlacher). Maybe they should run more contain plays because it appears offenses have figured out how to beat the Cover 2 with the Bears current personnel.
#11 HE IS WHO WE THOUGHT HE WAS!!! Chad Henne Edition
Chad Henne light it up in his first 2 games in relief of injured and incumbent Blaine Gabbert for the Jaguars (2-10). He played so well that some were wondering if the Jags would even need to address the QB spot in the offseason. Well he came back down to earth in their 34-18 loss to the Bills (5-7). Henne was just 18-41. Sadly, he had to throw it 41 times because the Jags were behind big and early once again (this team really needs MJD). Chad Henne is better than Gabbert, and he's better than a few other guys starting in the NFL currently but in no way is he the answer at QB. The Jaguars desperately need to draft someone (they're gonna pick in the top 3) or bring in a veteran to hold down the fort. Start the Michael Vick rumors now.
#12 Norv Turner Is As Dead As Dillinger
I hate to beat a dead horse, but Norv Turner will not be back as the head coach of the Chargers (4-8) next season. While Philip Rivers turned it over twice in the 4th quarter again Turner deserves just as much of the blame for the Bolts loss to the Bengals (7-5). Twice he had 4th and goal from inside the 2 yard line. His team was 4-7 with nothing to lose except everyone's job. Every other coach in the NFL would wisely have gone for 6 in that situation. But nope, Norv sent on the kicker and the result was the supposedly high-powered offense failing to score a TD against a Bengals D that was letting Rivers move the ball all over the field in the 1st half. The Chargers only TD came on a pick six due to a brain fart from Andy Dalton. San Diego needs to clean house. Norv needs to go. GM A.J. Smith needs to go. As for Rivers, I'll leave that decision to smarter minds than mine. Assuming they hire some.
#13 Don't Laugh, The Browns (4-8) Aren't That Bad
After starting 0-5 everyones favorite punching bag the Browns have gone over .500 since. Yes, Sunday's win against the Raiders (3-9) doesn't say much because the Raiders might be the worst team in the league but still, give some credit when it's due. The defense in Cleveland is legit. D'Qwell Jackson is a stud and ever since Joe Haden came back the secondary has played at another level. Trent Richardson has been as good as advertised and Josh Gordon has emerged as a dynamic deep threat. We're even starting to warm up to the thought of Brandon Wheeden as a QB.
#14 The Broncos (9-3) Are As Dangerous As Anyone In The AFC
Ignore the closeness of the box score in the Broncos 31-23 victory over Tampa Bay (6-6). The Bucs scored 10 points in garbage time. The game was over when Von Miller brought that INT back for 6. It feels like Peyton Manning (my MVP pick) can throw for 250 and 3 TD's in his sleep. Demaryius Thomas is developing into and elite WR. Even Jacob Tamme seems unstoppable with Manning throwing to him. And we all know how dominant the defense lead by the aforementioned Miller and still-elite Champ Bailey is. With the Raiders, Ravens, Browns, and Chiefs remaining on the schedule this team should roll into the postseason at 13-3 with an 11 game winning streak and possibly a first round bye (if they beat the Ravens they should get it as New England still has Houston and San Francisco on the schedule).
#15 The Cowboys (6-6) Do Not Belong In The Playoffs.
Congratulations Dallas, you beat the Eagles (3-9). And it wasn't even sealed until you recovered an onside kick. If not for Bryce Brown carrying the ball like a Pee-Wee player and coughing it up for a Morris Claiborne TD Jason Garrett might have been under more fire than even Andy Reid this week. It's nice to see DeMarco Murray back. And now with Dez Bryant finally figuring it out Tony Romo has plenty of weapons. But the team can't block and can't consistently stop anybody. Dallas has a brutal late of games left (Bengals, Steelers, Saints, Redskins) and it wouldn't surprise me to see them finish 6-10.
That's all for my Sunday lessons. Check back tomorrow after the Monday Night game for power rankings.
Follow me on Twitter @ZakKondratenko
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